/ Modified jul 9, 2018 11:39 a.m.

Mexican President-Elect Wants Trump at His Inauguration

Andrés Manuel López Obrador says he wants friendly ties with the U.S., but some fear the invite could send the wrong message.

AMLO hero The leader of Morena, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, recently gave a speech about defending immigrants in Phoenix.
Matthew Casey, Fronteras Desk

MEXICO CITY — Last week, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, or “AMLO,” was elected president of Mexico. U.S. President Donald Trump called him almost immediately to congratulate him, and now López Obrador plans to invite Trump to his inauguration. Not everyone in Mexico likes the idea.

Two years ago, López Obrador said president Enrique Peña Nieto was making a mistake by inviting then-candidate Trump to Mexico. But now, Mexico's president-elect wants president Trump at his inauguration in December.

López Obrador said he wants to keep friendly and respectful ties with the United States. For his supporters, the invite shows López Obrador's will to ease tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, mainly on trade and immigration.

But others fear the encounter might send the wrong message, particularly after Trump’s comments and tweets against Mexico and Mexicans.

Among them is Raúl Flores, the Mexico City president of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), López Obrador’s former party and one of its current antagonists.

“Trump is not a good sign for the other countries that Mexico needs as allies,” Flores said.

He thinks having Trump in Mexico is risky, as the U.S. president likes to impose and dominate. He also considered Trump and López Obrador’s styles similar, both leaning toward populism and pragmatism.

“Populism could be useful for the powerful, but not useful to the people. [Trump and López Obrador] can do a very good agreement for them, but not for their countries,” Flores said.

In the meantime, López Obrador is holding several meetings to prepare for his upcoming inauguration. He will meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo next Friday.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
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