The United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, has expressed harsh criticism towards President Andrés Manuel López Obrador for rejecting the assistance of the U.S. government on security matters in the country. During a press conference, Salazar asserted that López Obrador's strategy of "hugs, not bullets" has not been successful, questioning the effectiveness of the security policy implemented by the Mexican president.
Despite agreeing with the concept of prevention behind this strategy, the ambassador emphasized that the violence figures in Mexico tell a different reality. He accused López Obrador of rejecting security cooperation and hindering the arrival of investments to the country to support this area.
Salazar pointed out that during López Obrador's government, doors were closed to investments over 32 million dollars from the United States, aimed at helping the Mexican people in terms of security. Furthermore, he expressed concern regarding the republican austerity policy promoted by the former president, warning that it could worsen the situation rather than improve it, especially concerning support for police forces.
The Mexican foreign ministry issued a statement informing that it sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. embassy in Mexico in response to Ken Salazar's statements. In that note, they expressed their surprise at the messages conveyed by the U.S. ambassador in the country.
At the center of the controversy is Salazar's criticism of the 'hugs not bullets' strategy implemented by López Obrador, denouncing the lack of bilateral cooperation to combat organized crime. Although acknowledging the importance of prevention and social programs, the ambassador emphasized the need to uphold the law and address security issues more effectively.
