Mexico to confront criticisms from US political campaigns

MEXICO CITY – The Mexican government has come up with a plan to confront criticism of the country during U.S. electoral campaigns, but it doesn’t include getting into verbal duels with presidential candidates.

The government instead will approach the campaigns of the Republican and Democratic nominees once they are chosen and share information about how the U.S. relationship with Mexico is an opportunity and not a threat.

Francisco Guzman from the president’s office explained the plan to international journalists Tuesday.

Mexican consulates in the U.S. have been instructed to start meeting with organizations and public opinion leaders to discuss the contributions Mexicans make to the United States.

Some U.S. presidential candidates have targeted Mexico. Leading Republican Donald Trump has talked about Mexicans being rapists and bringing drugs to the United States.