Mexico abruptly suspends relations with US and Canadian embassies

On August 27, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced the temporary suspension of relations with the US and Canadian embassies in Mexico.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. (Source: America Economia)

According to AP news agency, the decision was made after ambassadors of the two countries criticized the judicial reform plan initiated by Mr. Obrador, saying that this was a violation of Mexico's sovereignty and right to self-determination.

Speaking at a press conference, President Obrador stated that the Mexican government's decision to suspend relations with the diplomatic missions of the United States and Canada will not affect the good relationship between his country and its two neighbors in the North American region.

However, the leader stressed: "(To end the disruption in relations, it is necessary) to have an explanation from their side, an apology, anything...".

President Obrador did not elaborate on the meaning of this suspension of relations, while Mexico's Foreign Ministry did not respond to AP 's request for comment on the incident.

There has been no comment from Canada or the United States on Mexico's latest move.

Judicial reform, spearheaded by the ruling National Reconstruction Movement (Morena) party, is a top priority for outgoing President Obrador.

Mexico's new Congress is expected to vote on the reform proposal next month. According to regulations, the proposal will be passed if it receives the support of two-thirds of all members of Congress.

On August 19, a group of unions representing Mexican judicial employees launched an “indefinite” nationwide strike, ahead of a vote in Congress.

In a joint statement, unions representing some 55,000 Mexican judicial employees opposed the proposed judicial reform, saying the plan was rushed and could affect the independence of judges in the performance of their duties.

Last week, US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar criticized President Obrador's judicial reform program, warning of the potential risks it poses to US-Mexico trade relations.

Shortly after, Canadian Ambassador to Mexico Graeme C. Clark also made similar comments, emphasizing the risks to trade relations in the context of the three countries being members of the United States-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA).

On August 23, President Obrador announced that the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a diplomatic note of protest following the statement of US Ambassador Salazar.

In the note, Mexico stated that Ambassador Salazar's statement expressed a public rejection of Mexico's judicial reform initiative.

The Ministry affirmed that this is entirely the country's internal matter, emphasizing that the goal of the judicial reform project is to strengthen and promote the rule of law through the provisions established in the Constitution.

The Mexican government is committed to building an independent, autonomous and legitimate judiciary, thereby contributing to the consolidation of the rule of law and improving access to justice for all citizens.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mexico-dot-ngot-dinh-chi-quan-he-voi-cac-dai-su-quan-cua-my-va-canada-284122.html