Why Henry Cuellar Wants to Look Into Russian Meddling in the Mexican Presidential Election

The Laredo Congressman says that Russian influence on Mexico’s July 2018 presidential election could have repercussions in the United States.

By Jill AmentDecember 11, 2017 2:34 pm,

A Texas lawmaker is calling for an investigation into possible Russian meddling in the upcoming Mexican presidential election.

Democratic U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar of Laredo says he’s requesting a hearing regarding the July 2018 election based on intelligence information he’s received.

“A U.S. official told me that it looks like the Russians are already playing in the Mexican presidential election, so I thought it was only proper that we go ahead and get a little bit more information by bringing in some folks and talking to us about this particular situation,” Cuellar says. “Being next door neighbors, we certainly need to know if the Russians or other actors have been or will be getting involved in this presidential election.”

Cuellar says the individual leading in the early polls is seen by some as taking a different stance relative to the U.S. than that held by Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico’s current president. He stresses that while it’s important that the U.S. not interfere in the Mexican election, he does think the U.S. should be educated on the matter.

“We’re not investigating,” Cuellar says. “I think the proper word to use is we that want to be informed. I think the Mexicans are capable of doing their own work on that, but I think we certainly know what the Russians have done here in the U.S.”

Cuellar says that while he respects Mexico’s sovereignty, he does think any outside influence on the upcoming election in Mexico might have repercussions in the United States.

“They need to do their own elections and elect their own person,” Cuellar says, “but I think we have the right to get information to see what’s happening in the mix right across the river.”

 

Written by Rachel Zein.