Senators and presidential candidates in Mexico are criticizing President Trump’s decision to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to support border security operations.
On Wednesday, Mexico’s Senate approved a resolution that encouraged the Mexican government to suspend cooperation with the U.S. on illegal immigration and combating drug trafficking, a move that was a rebuke of Trump’s decision, according to the Associated Press.
“[Trump’s] conduct has been permanently and systematically not only disrespectful, but insulting, based on prejudices and misinformation and making frequent use of threats and blackmail,” Laura Rojas, leader of the Senate’s foreign relations committee, said in backing the motion.
The Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement it would maintain communications with the Department of Homeland Security regarding its decision to dispatch troops to the southern border, but warned an escalation could hurt relations between the two countries.
“In all communications on the topic, the Mexican government has informed the U.S. government of the United States that if the planned deployment of the National Guard results in the militarization of the border, it would seriously damage the bilateral relationship,” the foreign ministry said. “It also reiterated the fundamental importance of respecting the dignity and human rights of Mexicans in the United States.”
The foreign ministry said Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen told the Mexican government that National Guard troops on the border will not carry weapons or have immigration or customs responsibilities.
Nielsen also reiterated the deployment would be similar to previous deployments of National Guard troops under Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, the foreign ministry said.
In addition to members of the Mexican Senate, Trump’s move was also rebuffed by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the frontrunner in the July presidential election.
“No to the militarization of the border, no to the wall,” he tweeted. “Yes to mutual respect and cooperation for development.”
According to the Associated Press, Lopez Obrador suggested Mexico send peace demonstrators to the border.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, this is still just political propaganda, there still isn’t anything to concern our country,” he said.
Jose Antonio Meade, the candidate for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, called for candidates to unite in condemning National Guard troops on the southern border.
“I call for all political forces to unanimously show our strongest condemnation of these types of aggressions,” he said in a statement, according to Reuters.
Nielsen announced Wednesday that Trump will dispatch National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border absent legislative from Congress strengthening border security.
Nielsen did not specify when troops would be deployed, as it depends on decisions made by governors of border states who oversee their respective National Guards. It’s also unclear how many National Guard troops the administration wants on the border.
So far, the Trump administration has asked the governors of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to send National Guard troops to the southern border.
