México

Mexican Foreign Affairs Minister challenges AMLO and launches presidential candidacy

"They consider me dead, but I am still alive," Marcelo Ebrard said in a private meeting and in a clear message to Lopez Obrador, who supports the candidacy of the Head of Government of Mexico City, Claudia Sheibaum. This is an LPO scoop.

By Andrés Wainstein (México City)15/07/2021

Mexico's foreign minister confirmed that he will run for the succession of Andrés Manuel López Obrador in the 2024 presidential elections.

The confirmation comes within thework of the investigation promoted by the Head of Government Claudia Sheinbaum for the tragedy of the subway "Line 12" that points to the management of Ebrard in Mexico City.

In addition, Sheimbaum is AMLO's protégé, who said that the bad election in Mexico City in June was the product of "a dirty war" and that she is almost the co-host of all the political events in which the leader of Morena wants to send a message to his historic militancy.

With this scenario already in place, Marcelo Ebrard planned a ceremony to launch his bid for presidency this weekend. It was a private meeting, where secrecy was taken very rigorously, so that there were no videos or photos leaked to the press. Guests had to leave their cell phones outside.

The summit was organized in Toluca, as a way to avoid events that add fuel to the line 12 accident. Ebrard wanted to prevent Sheinbaum - or even AMLO - from interpreting that he was acting within the role of the Head of Government.

Marcelo Ebrard planned a ceremony to launch his bid for presidency this weekend. It was a private meeting, where secrecy was taken very rigorously, so that there were no videos or photos leaked to the press. Guests had to leave their cell phones outside.

There were more than 100 guests at the Toluca summit, a first team of allies who will accompany Ebrard. There were allies of the past, such as the son of Don Manuel Camacho, as well as senators, entrepreneurs, and even external allies from other parties. Participation was varied.

According to the information collected by LPO, after five speakers, Ebrard spoke and thanked for the support. Within minutes, he had already revealed his intention to run in 2024, and clarified that he would fight "respecting the rules of the game."

Claudia Sheinbaum.

"Make no mistake, many times we are considered dead, and here we are, we always resist," the foreign minister said, especially in reference to the last turbulent months, when a dispute broke out inside Morena over the responsibilities of the line 12 accident.

In that sense, almost all the officials and representatives of companies that built Line 12 were among the attendees, perhaps unveiling a clear internal message that there will be no ruptures or accusations before the battle.

Some attendees have already posted pictures with Ebrard on their social media, taken at the end of the summit. This is the case of Juan Carlos Natales, who will serve as a federal deputy for the Green Party, thanks to the efforts of the Foreign Minister. "I am proud to be your friend and to be here to support you from the beginning of the presidential succession. Let's go for the '24' with all we have, Marcelo." Natale posted.

Ebrard and Sheinbaum have strong competitors. As LPO reported, the regional elections designed a new map of power that includes the outgoing governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla, the governor of Tabasco Adan Augusto and the governor-elect in Sinaloa, Alfonso Durazo, a former security secretary who is beginning to emerge as the new leader of the Pacific.

The LPO scoop on Ebrard's candidacy was confirmed this morning by President Lopez Obrador, who said: "There are no more secrets. There are no more accusations. The people's decision will include my favorite 'corcholata'.

Ebrard also took the floor to clarify and explain that he thanked the president at the meeting "for taking us into account", but noted that there are still two years ahead, and asked his team to continue working efficiently.

"I told them not to lose focus. Let us be consistent, persevering and loyal. Of course, when there are rules, and the times come, we will be prepared to participate according to the rules. The information is true and that is why it was unveiled, so that there is no speculation. That is my position, and we are not going to be distracted," the foreign minister added.

With this decision, Marcelo Ebrard challenges Lopez Obrador and his willingness to choose his successor, while confirming a counteroffensive action against Sheinbaum, after the case on the foreign minister's responsibility in the Line 12 tragedy.