AMLO Questions Rivals and Advocates for Transparency
President AMLO questioned ex-President Calderón's decision to keep García Luna in his cabinet and criticized José Ángel Gurría's leadership. Addressing drug consumption, he urged understanding the causes. Guerrero's security concerns and Altos Hornos de México's future were also discussed.
The morning conference led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) commenced with a bang, as he delved into various pressing matters affecting Mexico. From political rivalries to tackling drug consumption and addressing regional security concerns, the fearless leader left no stone unturned. Let's dive into the highlights of this intriguing session.
The president announced that he would be heading to Baja California Sur over the weekend, shifting the conference to La Paz on Friday. But he wasted no time in raising eyebrows as he questioned former president Felipe Calderón's decision to keep Genaro García Luna, a controversial figure, in his cabinet. AMLO demanded an explanation from Calderón and shed light on his concerns about the former president's questionable credit dealings while serving as the director of Banobras.
AMLO touched upon the topic of the United States' battle against fentanyl trafficking and consumption. AMLO acknowledged the responsible actions taken by the U.S., but he emphasized the need to address the root causes of drug demand. He linked the issue to societal dissatisfaction and drew parallels to the ineffective approach of building walls to address migration. The president expressed his distaste for crude populism and urged a deeper understanding of the problem.
Switching gears, AMLO discussed security concerns in Guerrero and the collaborative decision-making process involved in combating criminal gangs. He highlighted the importance of community support and expressed gratitude to the people of Guerrero for their trust. Recognizing the involvement of criminal groups in local politics, he stressed the need to address this issue and acknowledged the lingering influence these groups have on certain authorities.
The attention turned to the troubled Altos Hornos de México company. The president sought a solution that would benefit the workers, blaming the privatization initiated by Salinas de Gortari for the current state of affairs. AMLO criticized the company's CEO, Alonso Ancira, for his lack of cooperation and urged him to consider the welfare of the workers. He tasked the Secretary of the Treasury with engaging the steel industry and rallying support to save the company, proposing a debt restructuring plan for future owners.
Shifting the focus to the region of La Laguna, the president highlighted the government's efforts to address the water crisis. He mentioned the contamination of aquifers due to irresponsible exploitation and outlined plans for a massive hydraulic project to ensure a clean water supply. With an investment of over 10 billion pesos, AMLO expressed determination to complete the project before the end of his term, vowing to personally supervise its progress in three weeks.
A tragic incident involving a minor's death trapped in an elevator at an IMSS hospital in Quintana Roo was not overlooked. The president expressed his sadness and called for a thorough investigation, emphasizing that those responsible must face punishment. He revealed that the maintenance company had been informed of the elevator's malfunction but failed to address the issue promptly.
AMLO also aimed at Xóchitl Gálvez, requesting Claudio X. González to investigate the contracts awarded to her company during her tenure as a government official. He mentioned the possibility of vindicating the association Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity if the investigation yielded substantial results.
COVID-19 and violence were also addressed during the conference. AMLO defended Chiapas, highlighting its lower pandemic-related losses despite lower vaccination rates. He dismissed claims of hidden information and hindered work by the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (Insabi). Regarding violence in Chiapas, he emphasized that the communities themselves would have the final say and pointed out a decline in several crimes in the state.
In a segment dubbed "Who's Who in the Lies of the Week," spokesperson Ana Elizabeth García Vilchis debunked various falsehoods and manipulations. She clarified that the Law of Science and Technology had not been suspended and criticized the use of misleading images and misinformation to attack the federal government. Garcia Vilchis also exposed alleged media attacks funded by Mexicans Against Corruption against President AMLO's family and highlighted questionable practices by opposition figures.
