Mexico's president Manuel López Obrador just loves the violent criminal gangs and drug cartels of his nation.
He's visited Badiraguato, Sinaloa, the hometown of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán half a dozen times over his presidency and has nothing but good things to say about the Sinaloa cartel.
After his most recent visit, a reporter asked him if he was treated well by the cartel in the region.
"Always!" López Obrador responded, adding that "Sometimes we come upon people who are strange, but respectful."
"There is something people should know."
"Fortunately, the attacks that happen in this country generally occur between (criminal) groups," the president said. "They respect the citizenry."
If by "respect the citizenry" he means dislocating thousands of people in gang warfare, extorting millions of pesos from business owners, burying hundreds of thousands of citizens in unmarked graves, and forcing their children into slavery, then sure, I guess so.
And let's not forget, facilitating the flow of drugs and human beings into the U.S..
An act that he has repeatedly said is not Mexico's concern.
"We are not going to act as policemen for any foreign government. Mexico First. Our home comes first."
The Mexican people dealing with the drug cartels are understandably frustrated.
"He is making fun of us," said one restaurant owner, who asked to remain anonymous because he — like almost everyone else in town — has long been forced to pay protection money to the local cartel.
Luckily, López Obrador will be leaving public office this year, but his hand-picked successor seems to be leading in the polls.
And it's hard to blame the President for his pro-cartel butt-kissery given the "political landscape" in Mexico.
Yeah, I might wanna stay on their good side too.
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