Mexico's president claims country has 'more democracy' than the US, in rebuke of State Department

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador connected Tuesday rebuked nan U.S. State Department’s comments regarding electoral demonstrations happening southbound of nan border, arguing "there is much populist successful Mexico than could beryllium successful nan United States."

"If they want to person a statement connected this issue, let's do it," López Obrador told reporters. "I person grounds to beryllium location is much liberty and populist successful our country."

At a news conference, Lopez Obrador added that nan U.S. State Department "always meddles successful things that are not its business," reflecting a "bad habit" from Washington that runs "quite contrary" to President Biden’s messaging, according to Reuters. 

Last week, Mexico’s Senate approved López Obrador’s scheme to trim salaries and backing for section predetermination offices, and standard backmost training for citizens who run and oversee polling stations. The changes would besides trim sanctions for candidates who neglect to study run spending.

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Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lambasted nan U.S. State Department for its comments regarding predetermination betterment demonstrations.  ( Photographer: Alejandro Cegarra/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

López Obrador denies accusations from guidance that reforms are a threat to democracy, calling nan disapproval elitist. He argues that costs would beryllium amended spent connected nan poor. Tens of thousands of group demonstrated complete nan play successful Mexico City’s main plaza, calling nan cuts a threat to democracy.

Asked astir nan pro-democracy demonstrations happening successful Mexico, immoderate of nan largest successful years, State Department spokesperson Ned Price answered cautiously Monday.

"We are very intimately pursuing nan latest developments pinch Mexico’s electoral reforms. We of people respect Mexico’s sovereignty," Price told reporters astatine a regular property briefing. "Mexico is an adjacent partner, and we judge a well-resourced, independent electoral strategy and respect for judicial independency support patient populist astir nan world and, of course, successful Mexico arsenic well. 

US President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian President Justin Trudeau astatine nan North American Leaders' Summit successful Mexico City connected Jan. 10, 2023. Lopez Obrador's electoral reforms look opposition. (Photographer: Alejandro Cegarra/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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"Independent institutions free of governmental power represent a cornerstone of democracy, again, astir nan world," he added. "Nonpartisan, well-resourced electoral institutions successful peculiar guarantee that each voices are heard successful basal antiauthoritarian processes." 

Later Monday, Price besides released a written connection connected nan "protests against nan electoral overhaul successful Mexico." 

On nan backmost of seats successful Mexico's legislative chamber, banners pinch Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's look statement hundreds of thousands of murders successful nan country. Mexico saw thousands show against electoral reforms past weekend. (Luis Barron / Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

"Healthy democracies use from beardown institutions and a plurality of voices," nan connection said. "The United States supports independent, well-resourced electoral institutions that fortify antiauthoritarian processes and nan norm of law."

"Around nan world, we person witnessed challenges to populist that person tested and are testing nan spot of independent electoral and judicial institutions," he added. 

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"Today, successful Mexico, we spot a awesome statement connected electoral reforms connected nan independency of electoral and judicial institutions that illustrates Mexico’s vibrant democracy. We respect Mexico’s sovereignty. We judge that a well-resourced, independent electoral strategy and respect for judicial independency support patient democracy."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.