- Title: Mexico's leftist Obrador calls for peace in Venezuela amidst Maduro comparisons
- Date: 1st August 2017
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (AUGUST 01, 2017) (REUTERS) MEXICAN LEFTIST CANDIDATE FOR 2018 ELECTIONS, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR, WALKING INTO THE MONEDA PALACE WITH OFFICIALS MEDIA AT MEETING WITH LOPEZ OBRADOR AND CHILEAN PRESIDENT MICHELLE BACHELET BACHELET AND LOPEZ OBRADOR SHAKING HANDS AND PUTTING HIS ARM ON HER SHOULDER FOR MEDIA POSE LOPEZ OBRADOR WALKING WITH OFFICIALS ON PALACE GROUNDS MEDIA ON PALACE GROUNDS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN LEFTIST CANDIDATE FOR 2018 ELECTIONS, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR, SAYING: "I hope there is dialogue in Venezuela, that they arrive at a peaceful agreement, that there is no violence. Everyone wants to help to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to this crisis." LOPEZ OBRADOR SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN LEFTIST CANDIDATE FOR 2018 ELECTIONS, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR, SAYING: "(Different) parties (in Venezuela) need to sit down and seek a peaceful solution. I would respectfully recommend the possibility of Pope Francis and other figures to act as intermediaries." MEDIA LISTENING TO LOPEZ OBRADOR (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN LEFTIST CANDIDATE FOR 2018 ELECTIONS, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR, SAYING: "We are fighting for change in our country (Mexico), that it be done peacefully, without violence and I am moving forward in this proposal. We will have elections in 11 months that will be done democratically, for a change in government, and at the same time for citizens to consider a regime change." MEDIA GATHERED AROUND LOPEZ OBRADOR
- Embargoed: 15th August 2017 23:50
- Keywords: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador President Nicolas Maduro peace leftist presidential hopeful negotiations Santiago Mexico President Michelle Bachelet Venezuela violence Chile
- Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- City: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- Country: Chile
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016SBSRB7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mexican leftist presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was in Santiago on Tuesday (August 01) to meet with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, as part of a regional tour to discuss his political platform for Mexico ahead of elections next year.
Lopez Obrador is hoping it is third time lucky in the race to the Los Pinos. He has already lost two elections and blamed voter fraud for his losses in both. But under a combatant President Donald Trump and an unpopular President Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico City, experts say Lopez Obrador has a good shot to be Mexico's leader.
But his leftist overtures have worried many in Mexico, particularly as Venezuela's economy flails under the socialist rule of President Nicolas Maduro. His critics have also likened him to Maduro after the Venezuelan Embassy in Mexico tweeted its support for presidential hopeful. Speaking in Santiago, Lopez Obrador skirted around criticism of Maduro and called for peace in the divided South American nation.
The Mexican government has drawn the ire of Maduro by criticising Caracas' decision for a constituent assembly with powers to change the constitution. Mexico City has joined the calls of protesters in Venezuela calling for early elections. However, Lopez Obrador wants political rivals in the country to sit down for talks and has touted a role for Pope Francis in future possible talks, even though previous attempts of negotiations organised by the Vatican has failed. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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