Politics
Mexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections

Published
4 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
The US election is just around the corner, and relations between Mexico and the United States could be affected depending on who gets elected in November. CNN highlights three key issues impacting ties between both countries.

Security
Security is the first thing that stands out. Mexico is a crucial ally of the United States when it comes to fighting drug trafficking and cartels. The relationship was affected after the arrest of the alleged drug kingpin Ismael Zambada by US authorities in July.

The Mexican government speaks out
The operation, which also led to the arrest of Joaquín Guzmán López, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, was criticized by the Mexican government, which was not involved in the sting. “The United States government has to give a complete report, it is not just general statements, there must be information, there must be transparency,” said then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, according to El Observador.

A critical moment
Diplomatic relations were already strained before the cartel lord’s arrest. López Obrador had already criticized the DEA after an investigation claimed that his 2006 presidential campaign received money from drug trafficking. CNN highlights that he denied the accusations and said these were not compatible with bilateral cooperation on migration and fighting the drug trade.

Migration
Migration is another hot topic. Day after day, at his rallies, former President Donald Trump spoke against illegal immigrants in the United States. It has become a central issue for his campaign, and one very important for his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.

‘El Carrusel’
CNN says Mexico has been key in decreasing detentions at the US border. After reaching historic highs in 2023, the Biden and López Obrador administrations reached an informal agreement that resulted in the “El Carrusel” program.

Stopping migrants
As explained by the Spanish newspaper ABC, the program stops migrants on their way to the United States and returns them to Central America. The intention is to discourage these people from reaching the US border after several failed attempts.

Fewer visas, more economic incentives
Another measure adopted by Mexico was tightening visa requirements. The country now also offers economic incentives for migrants, such as Venezuelans, to return to their countries of origin. With this, crossings fell to the lowest levels since 2020. As ABC reports, in September there were 54,000 migrant arrests at the border.

Economy
Finally, there is the money issue. The United States is Mexico’s largest trading partner. 85% of Mexico’s exports go to its northern neighbor, according to political scientist José Luis Valdés, who spoke to CNN. However, these relations could be redefined regardless of who wins the election, since both Trump and Harris want to review the USMCA, the Mexico-United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement.

Mexico and China
Also of concern is that the new Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has been strengthening ties with China. A Chinese electric car plant opening in Mexico has raised the alarm among politicians from the Democratic Party in the United States.

Letter to Sheinbaum
In a letter to Sheinbaum, 20 Democratic members of Congress warned the following: “The fact that Chinese companies, including the automaker BYD, have announced plans for assembly plants in Mexico increase the possibility that these companies will try to avoid tariffs by producing in Mexico.”
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Politics
“They can go to h£ll” Ribadu blasts Canada for denying military chiefs visa.

Published
20 hours agoon
February 14, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has blasted Canada officials for denying visa to top Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Ribadu expressed his disapproval at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, Feb. 13.
The NSA’s comment came after the Chief of Defence Staff disclosed that he and his team were invited to Canada for an event honouring war veterans, but he and about half of the delegation were denied visas.
General Musa described the incident as “disappointing” but emphasised that it serves as a reminder for Nigeria to “stand strong as a nation” and not be taken for granted.
He said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing.”
Ribadu commended Gen. Musa for speaking out about the incident.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to h3ll,” Ribadu said.
The NSA said that despite the disappointment, Nigeria is “peaceful and strong” and must work hard to overcome such challenges.
Ribadu praised Gen. Musa for providing “purposeful leadership” in the war against t£rrorism, b@nditry, and other security thre@ts in the country.
Politics
Senate urges FG to include North-East in N4.2trn super highway projects

Published
21 hours agoon
February 14, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Nigerian Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to include raids in the North-East in the N4.2 trillion superhighway for the well-being of the people of the zone.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje representing Gombe Central Senatorial District on Thursday.
The motion was titled, ‘Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2trillion for Construction of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide’.
“It is imperative to note that in this laudable project, the North – East has only two projects, that is, Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State (N11.81 Billion); and Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 Billion), out of the approved sum of N4.2 Trillion Naira.
“Apart from these two road projects in the North – East, there are other very important road networks, which are in bad conditions, such as: the Bauchi – Gombe road; Biu – Gombe road; Potiskum – Gombe road; Darazo – Gombe road; Numan – Jalingo road; Yola – Mubi road; Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama road, Ngorore – Mayo Belwa – Zing – Jalingo; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye; Biu – Gombi – Maranraba; Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri; and Biu – Damaturu, among others, which desperately require serious reconstruction and rehabilitation.
“The North – East is the only Zone that is not connected to the SUPER HIGHWAY PROJECT, embarked upon by this administration,” Goje said .
He however commended President Tinubu for the Super Highway projects which according to him, are to ensure connectivity by improving road safety with the aim of harnessing the viability of resources that abound across the length and breadth of this country.
The Senate amended Goje’s second prayer from urging the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of the listed deplorable roads in the North – East to urging the Federal Government to as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the country .
In contributions to debate on the motion, many of the senators who spoke, commended Goje for the motion but also listed a series of federal roads in their various constituencies begging for urgent attention in terms of rehabilitation and even re-construction .
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola representing Ogun West, in his contribution, however clarified that allocation for the N4.2 trillion Coastal road projects was not done on zonal basis.
“The N4.2 trillion coastal road projects strictly covers the Badagary – Sokoto and Lagos – Calabar Coastal roads .
“For the existing road projects across the country , Mr President has set aside N500billon for continued rehabilitation work without exclusion of any zone”, he said
The President of the Senate, Goodwill Akpabio, in his remarks, said until Nigeria has a serious road map for constant rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across the country, the issue of road deplorability in the country will remain.
Politics
The leadership of the House of Representatives has issued an ultimatum to Arise Television News, and its anchor, Reuben Abati over an alleged derogatory comment about lawmakers’ activities.

Published
21 hours agoon
February 14, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The House gave the television station and Abati 24 hours to apologise for their comment on the proposal for the creation of additional 31 states from different regions of the nation.
Addressing members of the Green Chamber under the matters of privilege, Donald Ojogo who represents Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency alleged that the privilege of lawmakers of the House have been breached by Abati and Arise TV.
In a viral video while anchoring one of the television’s programmes, Abati referred to the lawmakers’ proposal to create additional states as “stupid” and “idiotic”.
Reacting over the utterances of the former presidential aide, Ojogo said Abati’s remark is unfortunate, uncultured, and baseless assertion that has undermined the integrity of House.
The lawmaker also described Abati’s remarks as unprofessional and laden with arrogance and ignorance of facts and a betrayal to journalistic ethics.
He said, “Such vulgarity and lack of decorum are not only unacceptable but an affront to this Honourable House and the dignity of its members.
“While this House upholds the principles of freedom of speech and press freedom, we must emphasise that such rights come with responsibilities.
Freedom of speech is not a licence for the dissemination of falsehoods, the distortion of facts, or the promotion of indecency and disrespect in the public sphere,” the lawmaker state

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