President Laurentino Cortizoexpressed this Friday his support for the Panamanian Foreign Minister, Erika Mouynes, criticized by the Mexican ruler, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, for opposing the appointment as ambassador to Panama of the historian Pedro Salmeron, pointed out by sexual harassment.
The Foreign Minister of Panama is a great professional, she has my full support and all my respect,” Cortizo said when asked about the matter at a public event in the city of Colón (Caribbean).
Cortizo also remarked that “the decision of the president of Mexico is the decision of the president of Mexico, the decision of Panama is our decision. We decide whether or not to accept an ambassador, just as they decided to accept ours, who is a very good ambassador.”
Last Tuesday, in his customary daily press conference, López Obrador said that “we proposed him (Salmerón) for ambassador to Panama and, as if it were the Holy Inquisition, the minister or foreign minister of Panama was dissatisfied.”
The designation of Salmerón as ambassador in Panama causes controversy since January 17, when López Obrador included him in his list of nominees for foreign service, despite the fact that young people accused him of sexual harassment while he was a professor at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM).
Instead of Salmerón, Mexico will propose Jesusa Rodríguez, who was a senator of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena), known for her feminist, indigenist and pro-marijuana positions.
We are going to present a proposal, to see if it is accepted by the Government of Panama, I don’t think the president of Panama (Laurentino Cortizo) is aware, I think this has more to do with the chancellor”, said López Obrador.
In Panama, videos have already begun to circulate that highlight the outgoing personality of Jesusa Rodríguez, which has led to conflicting opinions about her appointment as Salmerón’s replacement.
Cortizo indicated today for his part that Panama is “respectful, not only of Mexico, of all countries, and we demand respect for Panama.”
Respect is earned, and that is what we demand, both from the president of Mexico and from any other country. We are respectful, and we expect the same from any other country”, settled the Panamanian president.
With information from EFE