Noting aid to Ukraine, Mexico asks US to spare a thought for Central America

Mexico City, Mar 22 (EFE).- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that he wished the United States was as eager to boost economic development in Central America to ease the regional migration crisis as it is to help Ukraine withstand the Russian invasion that began on Feb. 24

“What we want is for them to invest. They just authorized resources for Ukraine, and it’s fine, because it is their policy to protect Ukraine, they have decided that,” the leftist president said during his daily morning press conference.

“But Congress approved it in two days I think, and the aid for the Central American brothers has already been four years and they don’t approve it,” he said.

The president, commonly known as AMLO, drew the contrast in response to questions about the recent visit to Mexico by US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

AMLO said that he tried to convince Mayorkas that the US should invest in and support El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala as a way to “temper the migratory phenomenon.”

“It has not been possible to achieve a favorable response,” he said, adding that his government’s attempt to aid the Central American countries by including them in its reforestation and job-training programs in Mexico is constrained by a lack of resources.

“Why aren’t the resources for Central America approved. I saw that what they approved for Ukraine was a much larger quantity than what is needed to support the impoverished peoples of Central America and the Caribbean,” AMLO said.

A $1.5 trillion spending bill the US Congress passed earlier this month included an additional $13.6 billion for Ukraine. EFE mqb/dr