In a five-page letter posted on X, López Obrador, who left office in 2024 but remains one of Mexico’s most influential political figures, said relations with Washington had deteriorated under Trump’s current administration and argued that the U.S. president had changed significantly since their earlier interactions.

“Speaking from what I personally experienced and can prove, the Trump of today is different from the one I dealt with,” López Obrador wrote, describing Trump during his first term as cooperative, pragmatic and open to dialogue.

He attributed what he called Trump’s transformation to “false friends and advisers, both internal and external,” whom he accused of leading the U.S. leader into policies detrimental to bilateral relations.

The comments represent one of López Obrador’s most direct interventions in public affairs since leaving office and amount to a strong endorsement of President Claudia Sheinbaum, his longtime political ally and successor. In the letter, he praised Sheinbaum as the “best president Mexico has had in our time.”

The remarks come amid growing strains between Mexico City and Washington after more than a year of often difficult but largely cooperative engagement. Sheinbaum has recently adopted a firmer tone toward the United States, emphasizing the need to defend Mexican sovereignty.

A major source of friction has been the U.S. Justice Department’s April indictment of 10 Mexican officials over alleged links to drug trafficking organizations. Mexican authorities have viewed the move as a sensitive issue in bilateral relations.

López Obrador accused U.S. officials of attempting to weaken Morena, the governing party he founded, under the banner of combating migration and narcotics-related crime.

Neither U.S. nor Mexican government officials immediately responded to requests for comment regarding López Obrador’s statements.

Mexico and the United States maintain one of the world’s largest economic relationships, with close cooperation on trade, migration and security issues, although political disputes have periodically strained ties between the two countries.

López Obrador ended his message with an appeal for improved relations, writing: “For the good of all, may the other Trump return.”

With one year remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its final stages across the United States, Canada and Mexico, many football supporters living in host cities say anticipation for the tournament is being overshadowed by concerns over ticket prices, political tensions, infrastructure challenges and what they describe as the growing commercialization of the sport.

Interviews with fans across North America reveal a complex picture of public sentiment toward the first 48-team World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by three countries and feature a record number of participating nations.

While many supporters remain enthusiastic about welcoming the world’s largest football tournament to their home cities, numerous fans expressed frustration that attending matches may be financially out of reach for ordinary spectators.In Houston, longtime resident Ian Sherman said the prospect of hosting seven World Cup matches initially generated significant excitement.

However, he said that enthusiasm has diminished as ticket prices have become clearer and access to seats has proven difficult.Sherman pointed to prices exceeding $200 for upper-level seats at some group-stage matches and said many fans may ultimately be forced to rely on secondary markets if they hope to attend games involving major national teams.

Although football’s popularity has grown substantially in the United States over the past two decades, he said Houston remains primarily focused on American football, baseball and basketball.He also raised concerns about the city’s ability to absorb large numbers of visitors, citing traffic congestion and infrastructure pressures that could emerge during the tournament.

In Kansas City, local resident Parker McDowell said pride in hosting the World Cup has been accompanied by concern over broader political and security issues. While welcoming the city’s role as a base camp for several national teams, including England, Argentina, Algeria and the Netherlands, he said international visitors may be surprised by the region’s dependence on automobiles and limited public transportation options.

He also cited worries about global events, ticket affordability and public safety, including concerns surrounding gun violence in American cities.Political concerns emerged repeatedly among supporters interviewed across host locations. Several fans questioned whether current geopolitical developments align with the tournament’s traditional image as an event intended to unite nations through sport.

One supporter argued that restrictions affecting citizens of some countries and ongoing international conflicts have complicated perceptions of the tournament’s inclusiveness. Others criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino and football’s governing body more broadly, claiming commercial and political considerations have increasingly overshadowed supporters’ interests.

In Mexico City, Francisco Fontano Patán described the tournament as a missed opportunity for urban development despite the city’s status as one of the competition’s flagship venues.Patán said local authorities had an opportunity to improve long-term transportation infrastructure around the city’s southern districts, including areas surrounding the iconic stadium formerly known as Azteca Stadium.

Instead, he said residents have seen only limited improvements that are unlikely to provide lasting benefits after the tournament concludes.He also argued that rising costs have distanced the event from ordinary citizens, leaving many supporters unable to attend matches in person.

Although public viewing events and fan festivals are expected across Mexico, Patán said those experiences are not significantly different from previous tournaments hosted elsewhere and do not compensate for the inability of many local residents to access stadium tickets.

Similar concerns were voiced in Monterrey, another Mexican host city. Resident Jose Galindo said excitement remains high because of the World Cup’s global significance, but acknowledged that many people cannot afford tickets or official merchandise.Galindo said the tournament increasingly feels like a premium product aimed at wealthier consumers rather than ordinary football supporters.

Nevertheless, he expects public viewing areas and informal gatherings to help create a festive atmosphere as the competition approaches.In Miami, Geoff Willerton said he remains excited about the tournament but does not personally know anyone planning to attend matches because of the costs involved.

While fan zones may offer an alternative, he said local awareness and excitement currently appear limited.Across several American host cities, supporters described a notable absence of visible World Cup enthusiasm despite the tournament’s proximity.

In New York, one resident suggested the event could struggle to compete for public attention in a city accustomed to hosting major international gatherings. Although the World Cup final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, he said many New Yorkers remain largely unaware of the event’s significance.Philadelphia resident James Powell said his own enthusiasm has declined steadily as ticket prices increased and concerns about FIFA’s governance intensified.

While he originally planned to attend matches, he now expects to watch from outside the stadium unless costs become more manageable.Powell said discussion of the World Cup remains relatively uncommon in Philadelphia despite the city’s role as a host venue.

Among the strongest criticism came from supporters in Northern California, where fans expressed disappointment over both ticket prices and the perceived lack of planning around public celebrations.San Francisco resident Ali said many football supporters had expected a festival atmosphere that would bring together fans from around the world.

Instead, uncertainty surrounding fan zones and the cost of attending matches has left many feeling excluded from an event taking place in their own region.Ali criticized organizers for prioritizing sponsors, corporate guests and VIP experiences over ordinary supporters.

He also questioned whether event planners fully understand the cultural significance of the World Cup compared with other major sporting events in North America.Despite widespread criticism, several supporters expressed optimism that local communities will ultimately embrace the tournament as kickoff approaches.

In Seattle, Roger Paul Probert-Baker described strong enthusiasm among residents and pointed to the city’s long football tradition, including support for the local club team and extensive experience hosting major sporting events.Probert-Baker said his family plans to participate in fan activities throughout the tournament and noted that preparations for security and crowd management are already underway.

He expressed confidence that Seattle will provide a welcoming environment for international visitors.Toronto residents also anticipate a vibrant atmosphere. Supporters there highlighted the city’s multicultural population and history of large public celebrations during previous World Cups.

Fans from numerous national backgrounds are expected to gather in neighborhoods, restaurants and public spaces to support their respective teams.

While enthusiasm varies across host cities, a common theme emerged from conversations with supporters throughout North America: the belief that the World Cup remains one of sport’s most powerful events, even as concerns over affordability, accessibility and governance continue to shape expectations.

For many fans, the challenge is not a lack of interest in football or the tournament itself. Rather, it is the perception that the event has become increasingly difficult for ordinary supporters to experience firsthand, despite being staged in their own communities.

Iran will be headquartered in the border city of Tijuana during the tournament while continuing to play its group-stage matches in the United States, according to FIFA’s official list of team base camps.

Speaking at a news conference, Sheinbaum said FIFA representatives informed Mexican authorities that the United States preferred not to host the Iranian squad outside of match days, prompting discussions about alternative arrangements.

“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum said, adding that Mexico agreed to host the team without objection when approached by FIFA.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran following the conflict that began on Feb. 28 between Iran, Israel and the United States. Security concerns and the broader diplomatic environment had fueled uncertainty for months regarding Iran’s logistical arrangements for the tournament.

Iran’s football federation announced over the weekend that the team would relocate its base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana after receiving FIFA approval. The governing body formally confirmed the change when it released the final list of training bases for all 48 participating teams.

Iran is scheduled to open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand national football team in Inglewood, California, on June 15 before facing Belgium national football team on June 21 and Egypt national football team in Seattle on June 26.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which runs from June 11 through July 19, will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first tournament to be staged across three countries.

Base camps serve as teams’ operational headquarters throughout the competition, providing facilities for training, recovery and preparation between matches.
Questions surrounding Iran’s accommodation plans intensified as diplomatic tensions escalated and U.S. sanctions against Tehran complicated logistical considerations.

While the U.S. State Department said on Monday that President Donald Trump had made clear that Iran’s national team was welcome to participate in the tournament, it did not comment on where the squad would be based.

The State Department also did not address Sheinbaum’s remarks regarding U.S. preferences for the team’s off-field presence.

Sheinbaum said Mexican authorities were continuing to coordinate with FIFA on operational details ahead of the tournament, which is expected to be the largest World Cup in history following the expansion to 48 teams.

The arrangement underscores how international sporting events can be affected by broader geopolitical developments, even as organizers seek to ensure all qualified teams can participate in the competition.

Mérida Sánchez, 66, is the first of 10 current or former Mexican officials indicted by U.S. prosecutors last month to appear before a court. Federal authorities accused him and others of protecting cartel operations and helping move large quantities of narcotics into the United States.

The former security official did not enter a plea during the hearing and was ordered detained pending further proceedings. Court records showed he is scheduled to return to court on June 1. A message seeking comment was left with his lawyer.

Prosecutors charged Mérida Sánchez with narcotics importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy involving prohibited weapons offenses. If convicted, he faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 40 years to life.

The indictment also named Rubén Rocha Moya and Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil among the accused officials. Both men announced temporary leaves of absence after the charges were unveiled but have not been taken into custody.

Mexico’s Security Cabinet said on social media that Mérida Sánchez crossed into the United States from Hermosillo, Sonora, on Monday and was detained by the U.S. Marshals Service at the Nogales border crossing in Arizona before being transferred to New York.Mérida Sánchez served as secretary of public security in Sinaloa from September 2023 until resigning in December 2024.

In that role, he oversaw the state police force and senior law enforcement appointments.According to the indictment, Mérida Sánchez received at least $100,000 in monthly cash payments from “Los Chapitos,” a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by sons of imprisoned cartel leader Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán.

Prosecutors alleged the payments were made in exchange for targeting rival groups and leaking sensitive law enforcement information.Federal authorities said Mérida Sánchez warned cartel members about at least 10 planned raids on drug laboratories and safe houses during 2023, allowing operatives to remove drugs, weapons and personnel before authorities arrived.

Some of the accused officials are affiliated with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Morena party. Following the indictments, Sheinbaum said Mexico would not shield any official proven to have committed crimes, but argued that any prosecution involving Mexican public officials should occur within Mexico’s judicial system.

Her remarks came amid heightened tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened military action against drug cartels operating in Mexico.Mexico’s Foreign Ministry and Security Cabinet said they remain in institutional communication with U.S. authorities under existing bilateral cooperation frameworks.“El Chapo” Guzmán was convicted in the United States in 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Another senior cartel figure, Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, pleaded guilty last year to U.S. drug trafficking charges and is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

Flores, a regional commander who controlled large portions of CJNG territory along Mexico’s Pacific coast, had been viewed by security analysts as a potential successor to cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” following Oseguera’s death in a security operation in February.Garcia Harfuch said on social media platform X that Flores was detained under a Mexican arrest warrant and also faced criminal charges in the United States.

“He is also wanted by U.S. authorities for extradition. The U.S. government had offered a $5 million reward for his capture,” Garcia Harfuch wrote.The U.S. Treasury Department previously identified Flores as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker” and said that a U.S. grand jury in 2021 charged him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin, among other offenses.

CJNG is one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations, with operations spanning drug trafficking, extortion and territorial control across several states. The cartel has long been a major target of both Mexican and U.S. authorities.

Carlos Olivo, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration assistant special agent in charge and an expert on CJNG, said Flores’ arrest could have a deeper operational impact than the earlier killing of El Mencho.“He’s a significant figure,” Olivo said. “His arrest will have a bigger effect on CJNG operations than Mencho being taken out.”The detention is the latest development in a broader campaign against Mexico’s drug cartels under intensified federal security operations.

Garcia Harfuch has made the dismantling of CJNG leadership a priority and previously blamed El Mencho for a 2020 assassination attempt against him in which two of his bodyguards were killed.Security analysts had identified Flores as one of several senior regional commanders positioned to compete for control of the cartel after leadership disruptions earlier this year.

Mexico’s security environment remains under heightened international attention as the country prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup this summer with the United States and Canada, placing additional pressure on authorities to demonstrate progress against organized crime and violence.

In a report titled “Humanity Must Win,” the London-based rights group urged FIFA and host governments to take “urgent action” to ensure the safety and rights of players, supporters and local populations during the tournament, which begins on June 11.

Amnesty said FIFA’s pledge to deliver a tournament where everyone feels “safe, included and free to exercise their rights” contrasts with conditions in host nations, particularly the United States, which will stage the majority of the 104 matches.

The organization described the U.S. as facing a “human rights emergency” under Donald Trump, citing mass deportations, arbitrary arrests and what it characterized as “paramilitary-style” operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It noted that ICE officials have indicated the agency will play a central role in World Cup security arrangements.

The report also referenced public backlash following the killing of two U.S. citizens during protests against ICE raids in Minneapolis earlier this year.Gaps in fan protection measuresAmnesty said host city plans published so far do not clearly address how fans or residents would be shielded from immigration enforcement during the tournament.

It added that supporters from some participating nations, including Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran and Senegal, could face travel restrictions to the United States.LGBTQ+ fan groups in Europe have also indicated reluctance to attend matches in the U.S., citing concerns over protections for transgender individuals.

FIFA has said the expanded 48-team tournament the largest in World Cup history will proceed as scheduled, with all qualified teams expected to participate. The governing body has not publicly responded to Amnesty’s latest report.

The organization expects to generate around $11 billion in revenue from the 2026 World Cup cycle, drawing renewed scrutiny from rights groups over its responsibilities toward stakeholders.

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of economic and social justice, said that while FIFA stands to benefit financially, “fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be made to pay the price.

”The tournament is set to open in Mexico City and conclude on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Tomas Zeron, head of Mexico’s criminal investigation agency between 2014 and 2016, under the previous government, is wanted on accusations of having helped engineer a cover-up of the abduction of the youths from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in the southwestern state of Guerrero in September 2014.

Zeron, who Mexican officials say fled to Israel in 2020, has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing over the matter, one of Mexico’s most notorious human rights scandals.

Lopez Obrador requested help from then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in 2021, and last month said he had also written to current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I just received a letter from Israel’s prime minister about his interest in helping us. Because one of the people who participated in covering up the crime … is in Israel,” Lopez Obrador told his daily press conference, referring to Zeron.

“We are asking for him to be extradited,” he said.

He did not say whether Israel had agreed to Zeron’s extradition.

Israel’s embassy in Mexico said it could not comment on correspondence between heads of state.

Lopez Obrador took office in 2018 promising to resolve the case, which his administration has called a “state crime” for both the disappearance and an alleged cover-up that involved multiple levels of government.

The remains of only three of the 43 students have so far been formally identified, and Lopez Obrador in recent days has vowed to find out what happened to the youths.

Mexico City (Reuters) – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela next week, Iran’s state news agency IRNA announced on Wednesday, adding that the upcoming tour stemmed from invites from the presidents of each of the Latin American nations.

IRNA said documents to expand bilateral cooperation will be signed between Iran and the three countries during Raisi’s visit, mentioning economic, political and scientific issues, but without going into further detail.

The state news agency said Raisi will leave Tehran on May 11.

The three-country tour will give Raisi face time with three regional allies, each of whom lead leftists governments that have been accused by critics of human rights violations.

Iran and Venezuela are both members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Members of the Bandidos and Waterdogs groups traded gunfire around 5:00 p.m. (2100 GMT) on the packed main street of the mountain resort town 75 miles northeast of state capital Santa Fe, State Police Chief Tim Johnson said on Sunday.

“It was just gangbanger on gangbanger,” Johnson told a press conference in Red River, adding that no bystanders were injured.

Of the three killed, two were Bandidos and one was a Waterdog, the police chief said.

Jacob Castillo, 30, a Waterdog from New Mexico was charged with murder, while Matthew Jackson, 39, of Texas, a Bandidos chapter leader, faced a count of unlawful carrying of a firearm and Bandido Christopher Garcia, 41, of Texas, was arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession.

The confrontation began in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, over a photo involving another gang, then spilled over to Red River’s annual Memorial Day motorcycle rally, Johnson said.

Bandidos have been involved in at least three shootings in Texas and Oklahoma in the past two months, he said.

Some 28,000 bikers from across the country had been expected to attend the Memorial Day rally, which featured live music and remembrance ceremonies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in nearby Angel Fire.

Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun advised local businesses to close.

The incident came eight years after nine bikers were killed and 18 wounded in a shootout in Waco, Texas involving members of motorcycle groups such as the Bandidos and Cossacks.

Some of the wounded were transported to a hospital in Taos, New Mexico, around 25 miles to the southwest, where officials banned alcohol sales and established a curfew.

Lopez Obrador announced in a post on Twitter that the agreed sale price for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner used by his predecessor Enrique Peña Nieto – but never by him – was about 1.66 billion pesos, or about $92 million.

In a video accompanying the post, the president said the sale demonstrated how Mexican politics has changed under his leadership.

“It’s important that everyone knows how people thought before, how the authorities acted, like little pharaohs,” he said, sitting in a high leather-backed seat, flanked by officials.

“Not anymore.”

More details of the sale of the plane to the Central Asian country would be disclosed next week, including what he described as the aircraft’s exorbitant maintenance costs.

One of the officials with the president, Jorge Mendoza, head of national development bank Banobras, said the Tajikistan state council that purchased the plane has about 10 days to take possession of it.

The populist leftist who has for decades railed against corruption of political elites, had previously said he hoped to sell the aircraft for at least $150 million, down from its original $218 million purchase price in 2012.

Shortly after Lopez Obrador took office in late 2018, he announced plans to sell the jet, which featured marble touches and official government seals emblazoned on the walls along with multiple flat-screen monitors.

But years went by with no sale, and at one point the frugal Mexican leader, who has championed budget austerity during his more than four years in office, proposed to raffle off the aircraft.

Lopez Obrador, who takes commercial flights when he does travel, said the proceeds of the sale will be used to build two 80-bed public hospitals in southern Guerrero and Oaxaca states, among the country’s poorest regions.

“They will be built by military engineers and will be inaugurated before my term ends,” he added.