Mexico’s president: ‘Still no way we’ll build Trump’s wall’

“I believe that any of the candidates, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trump, I’m sure that both of them would like to build good conditions and better wellness for their people. So my position is very clear. We are very respectful to whomever is elected. We want to build a positive and constructive relation among Mexico and to whomever becomes president of United States,” Enrique Peña Nieto said on CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS.”

A cornerstone of Trump’s platform in the presidential race is a pledge to build a wall between the US and Mexico — and to make the Mexicans pay for it, reports the New York Post.

Nieto, reiterating comments he made last March, said there “is no way that Mexico can pay a wall like that.”

Asked about Trump’s claims that Mexico is sending criminals, rapists, drug dealers — to the U.S., Nieto denied it.

“That is not true. I categorically — categorically deny it,” he said.

“What is true is that both governments are working together, have a close co-ordination in order to battle these kind of guys. I mean, there are drug leaders which have a place to work, Mexico and United States. And both governments are giving the battle to them,” the Mexican president added.

Nieto spoke in English in order “to have a very clear statement,” he said, though he reverted to his native Spanish later in the interview in order to be more precise.
Nieto, however, was careful not to meddle in his neighbouring country’s election. “I am very respectful on the democratic process that is being taken place in US We are not part of that decision that has to be made by the American society.”

In March, Nieto said “there is no scenario” under which Mexico would pay for a wall.
“I have to say that I regret (the plan), and of course, I can’t agree with this American politician’s position.”
This story first appeared in the New York Post.