MEXICO CITY (AP) – The Latest on Mexico’s presidential election (all times local): 8:50 a.m. Venezuela’s socialist government is welcoming the election…
MEXICO CITY (AP) – The Latest on Mexico’s presidential election (all times local):
8:50 a.m.
Venezuela’s socialist government is welcoming the election of Mexican leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has spent most of the past dozen years trying to shake off allegations he’d steer Mexico toward a Venezuelan model.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has sent a tweet calling Lopez Obrador’s presidential election victory « the triumph of truth over the lie. » He also says it opens what he calls « the broad boulevards of sovereignty and friendship » between the two countries.
Foes of Lopez Obrador have tried in all three of his campaigns for president to portray him as a leftist in the mold of the late Hugo Chavez, who created a socialist system that’s now in economic chaos. Lopez Obrador has insisted he’ll follow his own policies and has reached out to try to reassure the business community.
The Venezuela tactic had some success against Lopez Obrador in 2006 and 2012, but voters on Sunday ignored it and elected him overwhelmingly. He takes office Dec. 1,
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8:40 a.m.
Mexico’s President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he supports reaching a deal to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Canada. Those talks have been stalled over the Trump administration’s demands for higher U. S. content and a « sunset clause » in the 1994 trade agreement.
Lopez Obrador says he’ll propose that his own team of experts be included in the talks. The winning candidate said he will make that proposal in a meeting Tuesday with current President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Lopez Obrador told the Televisa network Monday that he will respect the current team of negotiators, and let them continue representing Mexico until he takes office Dec. 1.
Lopez Obrador said he wants to have information on what’s being discussed and « to help as much as we can. »
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8:30 a.m.
Mexico’s president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has thanked U. S. President Donald Trump for sending a message of congratulations, and says he’ll contact the U. S. leader to « reach an understanding. »
Lopez Obrador said in an interview with the Televisa network Monday that Trump’s tweet the night before « was very respectful, » and he added: « That is what we always want to maintain with the U. S. government, that there be mutual respect. »
In his words, « We are never going to disrespect the U. S. government, because we want them to respect us. » And he said, « We are conscious of the need to maintain good relations with the United States. »
The Mexican leftist achieved a landslide victory in Sunday’s presidential vote.
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