Chairman Menendez Statement on Developments Regarding Summit of the Americas

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the Biden administration announced additional information regarding participation at the Ninth Summit of the Americas taking place this week in Los Angeles, California:

“The Summit is an opportunity for democracies—not authoritarian thugs—from across the hemisphere to forge an agenda that advances our shared prosperity and democratic values.”

“From the beginning of his Administration, President Biden made clear he would focus on restoring U.S. credibility and leadership in the worldwide campaign to strengthen democratic governments and counter authoritarian forces.  As a result of my repeated consultations with the Administration, I’m pleased to see the President will continue delivering on that promise by preserving the standard that the Summit of the Americas remain a gathering for democracies.”

“After years of absolute neglect and outright hostility for the U.S.-Mexico partnership by Donald Trump, President Lopez Obrador’s absence at the Summit will unfortunately set back efforts to continue repairing the relationship and to cooperate on issues pertinent to the well-being of both our nations.  I join those increasingly concerned by President Lopez Obrador’s decision to stand with dictators and despots over representing the interests of the Mexican people in a summit with his partners from across the hemisphere.”

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