Former Mexico president says Trump isn’t the man he used to be

Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the former president of Mexico, has launched a scathing attack on Washington, accusing it of "interventionist and unscrupulous practices" aimed at bolstering Mexico’s right-wing opposition and undermining his leftist political movement.

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The remarks come amidst escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico, now led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, whom López Obrador lauded as "the best president Mexico has had in our time."

Though largely out of the spotlight since leaving office in 2024, López Obrador broke his silence with a forceful rebuke of President Donald Trump, posted on X on Wednesday.

Former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador accused Washington on Wednesday of employing "interventionist and unscrupulous practices" to bolster Mexico’s right-wing opposition and weaken his leftist political movement

open image in galleryFormer Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador accused Washington on Wednesday of employing "interventionist and unscrupulous practices" to bolster Mexico’s right-wing opposition and weaken his leftist political movement (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In a five-page letter, López Obrador claimed Trump had changed significantly since his first term, when he described the president as cooperative, pragmatic, and open to dialogue.

"Speaking from what I personally experienced and can prove, the Trump of today is different from the one I dealt with," he wrote, attributing this transformation to "false friends and advisers, both internal and external, who have led him into vile and sinister adventures."

Despite holding no official power, López Obrador retains considerable political influence, and his comments serve as a strong show of support for Sheinbaum, his political protégé. Mexican and US officials were not immediately available for comment.

Obrador blamed Trump’s transformation on what he called "false friends and advisers, both internal and external, who have led him into vile and sinister adventures”

open image in galleryObrador blamed Trump’s transformation on what he called "false friends and advisers, both internal and external, who have led him into vile and sinister adventures” (Getty)

After more than a year of cooperative, albeit often strained, relations with Washington, Sheinbaum has recently sharpened her rhetoric, emphasizing the defense of national sovereignty.

A particular point of contention has been the Justice Department's April indictment of 10 Mexican officials over alleged drug trafficking ties. López Obrador further accused US officials of attempting to undermine his founded Morena party under the guise of combating migration and narco-terrorism.

He concluded his statement with a plea: "For the good of all, may the other Trump return."