Sheinbaum Accuses US Of Interference In Mexico's Internal Affairs

MEXICO CITY, June 1 (Bernama-dpa) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has accused the United States of interfering in her country's internal affairs, reported German news agency dpa.

"We do not accept interference. We are a free, independent and sovereign country," Sheinbaum told supporters on Sunday at a rally in Mexico City marking the second anniversary of her election victory.

The president said an agency of the US Justice Department had requested the arrest of 10 Mexicans for extradition. According to Sheinbaum, they include a governor, a mayor and a sitting senator. She did not name them or provide further details. The information could not initially be verified independently.

If foreign countries decide who is guilty and who is not, or put pressure on Mexican institutions, then it is no longer cooperation but interference, Sheinbaum said.

"Mexico is nobody's piñata," she added. A piñata is a figure, often struck by children with sticks until sweets fall out.

The president called on her supporters to hold information events in public squares in the coming weeks to explain the defence of national sovereignty.

Her comments come at a time of growing debate in Mexico over foreign influence in elections.

Parliament recently approved a constitutional reform backed by Sheinbaum's ruling Morena party that would allow elections to be annulled if foreign interference is proven.

--BERNAMA-dpa