Mexico’s Sheinbaum escalates rhetoric against U.S., blames far-right ‘offensive’
By Raul Cortes
MEXICO CITY, June 1 (Reuters) – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stepped up her rhetoric against Mexico’s biggest trading partner, saying on Monday far-right sectors in the United States were colluding with domestic groups to attack her government.
The remarks followed a weekend rally at which Sheinbaum decried alleged interference by U.S. government agencies and business interests.
“I believe it is the far-right elements in the United States who want bad relations with Mexico because of ‘ideological’ differences,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference.
The leftist president said he did not believe the attacks were planned by his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Relations between the two countries have been strained over disagreements over tariffs and immigration policies since Trump began his second term in January.
Tensions escalated in April after the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 10 Mexican officials, including Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha of the ruling Morena party, for alleged ties to drug trafficking.
Following US accusations against Morena politicians, Sheinbaum intensified his calls to protect national sovereignty.
“Who decides in Mexico, foreign institutions or the public?” Sheinbaum told supporters Sunday at an event commemorating the second anniversary of his 2024 presidential victory. “We will defend Mexico’s sovereignty and independence.”
Last week, Mexico’s congress approved a constitutional amendment allowing elections to be annulled in the event of “foreign intervention.” Opposition leaders criticized the law as a pretext for holding new elections if the results do not favor the ruling party.
Despite the diplomatic friction, Sheinbaum’s domestic standing remains strong. A poll published by El Financiero newspaper showed his approval rating at 69%, reversing a slight decline that began in March.
(Reporting by Raul Cortes; Writing by Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Emily Green and Alistair Bell)
