The Monroe Doctrine must now change, López Obrador explained to Biden at the summit

Nestor Jimenez and Alonso Urrutia

Newspaper La Jornada
Thursday, January 26, 2023, p. 13

The policy known as the Monroe Doctrine, which is encompassed in the phrase America for the Americansnow must change, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stressed yesterday, stating that he exposed this position to the President of the United States, Joe Biden, during the North American Leaders Summit two weeks ago.

In his morning conference, he clarified that he did not address the issue of the economic blockade that the northern country maintains against Cuba with the American, but he endorsed his criticism of that measure.

López Obrador condemned the US policy against the island as a fact scummy and a flagrant violation of human rights and then questioned: What is the risk? that Cuba is going to invade the United States? Is Venezuela going to invade the United States? Was the ousted government of Peru a danger to the United States?.

Asked about the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on the Caribbean country for 60 years, he stated that I did not discuss the issue with him (Biden), but he already knows my position. I believe that it is an excess, it is an arbitrary act, of arrogance to block Cuba. It is an inhuman, medieval measure, because it does not only affect the government of Cuba. Imagine blocking a country so that the people of that country rebel against the rulers for that blockade..

The head of the Executive pointed out that it was not necessary to raise the issue, since he has reiterated his position in the morning from the National Palace. But he stressed that That policy must already change, we did tell you that. That it is no longer the time of America’s policy for Americans, of the Monroe Doctrine, no. You have to respect freedom, the independence of countries.

Although he pondered that Biden is quite receptive, he regretted that the main promoters of the blockade of the island are the legislators of Cuban origin in the United States, who have dedicated themselves to prospering with that political, convenient position, because they, with that inhumane policy, supposedly in defense of freedoms, are doing well.

Assange and Peru

The president also evoked the case of Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, arrested in the United Kingdom after an accusation by the United States for espionage and who insisted that he is the victim of an act of repression and revenge It violates freedom of expression.

Then he pointed out his desire that in Peru “things will improve, that there will no longer be repression. They go out to protest and (…) now the Army is entering the university with tanks”.

He stated that the best thing in the South American country is to call elections, let the people decide and release the deposed president, Pedro Castillo, who he is unjustly imprisoned and, with all due respect, that the United States ambassador in Peru no longer interfere.

Likewise, he recognized the Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, for expressing a similar position during the meeting of the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.