By The Opinion
Sep 20, 2024, 2:42 PM EDT
Calling Claudia Sheinbaum’s ascension to the Mexican presidency a “historic event,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said that first lady Jill Biden is “really looking forward” to attending the ceremony.
“The First Lady […] I talked about this yesterday […] “She is looking forward to being there. It is a historic moment,” Jean-Pierre said at Thursday’s press conference. “That will be her goal in supporting the president-elect. She is very much looking forward to being there with the American delegation.”
Jean-Pierre was asked if the first lady was going to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was also invited by the president-elect’s team in Mexico.
“No,” Jean-Pierre said briefly, saying he did not know what the Russian president would do.
On Friday, the Russian government confirmed that President Putin will not attend Sheinbaum’s inauguration ceremony.
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Putin’s withdrawal, who will be represented by Ambassador Nikolay Sofinskiy.
“We are aware that the Russian Federation, like other countries, has accredited its Ambassador to Mexico, Mr. Nikolay Sofinskiy, to represent his country at the ceremony on October 1,” said a source from the Mexican Foreign Ministry.
On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that the first lady will lead the US delegation to the inauguration and will announce the full list of her companions later.
This newspaper confirmed with sources in Congress that there are invited representatives, but they did not want to reveal their names.
The current government will coordinate with the new Mexican administration for three months, since whoever is in charge of the White House will begin its duties on January 20, 2025.
Continue reading:
• Biden congratulates Claudia Sheinbaum on her “historic” victory as the first female President of Mexico
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