Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Mexico's President Dismisses Trump's Suggestion About Waging War on Drug
Cartels

VOA News

   Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reiterated his opposition
   Wednesday to a suggestion from U.S. President Donald Trump that Mexico
   wage war against its drug cartels after suspected gang members
   massacred nine U.S. women and children in the northern part of that
   country.

   Lopez Obrador said at his weekly news conference his administration was
   "moving forward" with his promise to address the underlying causes of
   violence in Mexico with social programs.

   "The other option (military option against cartels) is irrational; war
   is irrational," he said. That is not an option in our case."

   Lopez Obrador also told reporters the United States could work with
   local Mexican authorities in the investigation.

   "We will take charge of the investigation and for justice to be done.
   We don't have any limitations for informing you on how it is going. If
   they want to participate, then they can," Lopez Obrador added.

   Lopez Obrador's remarks came one day after Trump offered to help Mexico
   "wage war" against the cartels and declared they must be wiped off the
   face of the Earth.

   The drug cartel members suspected of being responsible for the massacre
   may have mistaken the victims' SUVs for those of a rival drug gang,
   Mexican officials said.

   Lopez Obrador initially rejected Trump's suggestion of war on Tuesday,
   saying previous Mexican governments have tried a military solution and
   that "it didn't work."

   "The worst thing you can have is war," he said.

   Lopez Obrador spoke with Trump by telephone on Tuesday.

   "I thanked him for his willingness to support us, and informed him that
   the institutions of the government of Mexico will act to ensure justice
   is done," the Mexican president tweeted.

.