Mexico’s President Defends Army After Ex-Minister Arrested in U.S.

Drug-trafficking charges shouldn’t taint armed forces: AMLO
Mexico will ask U.S. to share case to probe if others involved

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico’s president, speaks during a news conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Sep. 17, 2020.Photographer: Alejandro Cegarra/Bloomberg

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By Max de Haldevang and Andrea Navarro

October 19, 2020 at 4:35 PM UTC

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Mexico’s president said Monday that the military shouldn’t be tarnished by the arrest of the country’s former defense minister on drug charges, after critics raised questions about the increasing presence of the army under his administration.

While defending the military, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also said he’ll ask the U.S. to share all of the information in the case against the former defense minister, General Salvador Cienfuegos, so that Mexico can investigate who else might be involved.