Biden, López Obrador Open Mexico Meetings With Brusque Talk

Biden, López Obrador Open Mexico Meetings With Brusque Talk
U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stand for the national anthems during an official welcome ceremony at the National Palace in Mexico City on Jan. 9, 2023. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
The Associated Press
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MEXICO CITY—Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador challenged U.S. President Joe Biden to end an attitude of “abandonment” and “disdain” for Latin America and the Caribbean as the two leaders met on Monday, making for a brusque opening to a summit of North American leaders.

The comments were a stark contrast to the public display of affection between López Obrador and Biden shortly before, as they smiled and embraced and shook hands for the cameras. But once the two sat down in an ornate room at the Palacio Nacional, flanked by delegations of top officials, it didn’t take long for tensions to bubble to the surface.