His three-month campaign starts in Ciudad Juarez, a tribute to the city’s namesake Benito Juarez, the 19th century Mexican president from indigenous roots whose exiled government resisted a French colonialist intervention from the unruly border city. Lopez Obrador has made clear US-Mexican relations will remain strong if he wins, while promising to throw Trump a “curve ball” and defend Mexican pride. The candidate’s foreign policy advisor, Hector Vasconcelos, has said US relations should be aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and that the current ties over-emphasize police and military relations. That horror, mirrored in towns across Mexico during a decade of extreme drug violence, is another reason Lopez Obrador chose the city to start campaigning, an advisor said. “It is a symbol of the need to heal Mexican pain,” said senior campaign member Tatiana Clouthier.

Source: Egypt Independent April 01, 2018 06:22 UTC