Pena Nieto talks NAFTA, security and Lopez Obrador in his final state of union address

Record ID: 1354607

  • Title: Pena Nieto talks NAFTA, security and Lopez Obrador in his final state of union address
  • Date: 3rd September 2018
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (SEPTEMBER 03, 2018) (REUTERS) MEXICO'S PRESIDENT, ENRIQUE PENA NIETO, GREETING AUDIENCE MEMBERS IN AUDIENCE APPLAUDING VARIOUS OF OFFICIALS APPLAUDING PENA NIETO ON STAGE WITH OFFICIALS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO'S PRESIDENT, ENRIQUE PENA NIETO, SAYING: "In a complex scenario, after a long and arduous negotiation, we continue to promote a trilateral
  • Embargoed: 17th September 2018 23:30
  • Keywords: State of the Union Enrique Pena Nieto NAFTA Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador security
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0018W2QIWZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:In his final state of the union address on Monday (September 3), outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto said that he is optimistic Mexico will reach a trilateral deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Canada.
    Pena Nieto added he wanted Canada to return to talks with Mexico and the United States in order to reach a trilateral deal.
    "In a complex scenario, after a long and arduous negotiation, we continue to promote a trilateral agreement. Because we are convinced of the importance of Canada remaining as a commercial partner within the treaty. North America is more successful when it stays together. When each country contributes its strengths to make this the most attractive and competitive region in the world," he said.
    Canada has sat out the most recent leg of the NAFTA discussions as Mexico and the United States ironed out their outstanding bilateral issues.
    Pena Nieto admitted his government had not been able to improve security for Mexicans.
    For the past 12 years, Mexico has fought violent drug gangs by deploying thousands of police, soldiers and intelligence officers to crack down on cartels and their leaders.
    If its new president-elect gets his way, however, negotiation may replace the hard-line strategy that critics say has only perpetuated violence.
    Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist who won in July after two previous attempts at the presidency, wants to rewrite the rules of the drug war, aides said, suggesting negotiated peace and amnesties for some of the very people currently being targeted by security forces.
    So far, his proposals remain vague. And any move toward amnesty, while aimed at lesser and non-violent offenders, is sure to face opposition from the general public, rivals in Congress and U.S. allies who helped Mexico orchestrate its force-based approach.
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