Joe Biden Denounces Republican Campaign Speech Against Mexico & Mexican Immigrants
"I almost feel obliged to apologize for some of what my political colleagues said," so goes Joe Biden in his speech during his latest visit to Mexico, per CNN.
Biden led the delegation from Washington in the capital of the South American country to discuss ways on how to improve the countries' relation in terms of trade, economy and the fight against drugs. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto was also in attendance during Biden's speech.
"It's a heated campaign season and I just want you to know, Mr. President, that the most heated rhetoric you've heard from competitors for the nomination for president is not who we are as the American people," Biden said.
The vice president also assured the people of Mexico that not all Americans share the same sentiments. He added, "It is not the view that is the view of the majority of the American people. It's the exact opposite. It's the opposite view."
Meanwhile, in another meeting between the United States delegation and Mexico's high-ranking government officials, Biden described the GOP speech against Mexico and Mexican immigrants as something that is "dangerous," "damaging" and "incredibly ill-advised," per AFP via Yahoo! News.
Biden also expressed optimism that these xenophobic views held against non-Americans can be overcome and be bygones as was before.
U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump drew the ire of the Mexican people and sympathizers after being vocal about his strong stand when it comes to immigration, particularly on those coming from the other side of the southern borders.
The billionaire and presidential aspirant said that Mexico is where rapists crossing the border are coming from. He also added that he would implore the Mexican government to build a huge wall across the border at their own expense so as to prevent illegal migrants from getting into the U.S. soil.
Naturally, Trump's words did not sit well with a lot of people, not the least of whom is the pontiff himself. Pope Francis said that those who build walls instead of bridges cannot be considered Christian.
President Pena Nieto responded by saying that such mindset is that of a troglodyte that can lead to one's isolation. "There are those who have the vision to close themselves off... build walls, but this only means isolating oneself and ending up alone," he said.
Two former presidents of Mexico, Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon, also fired back at Trump and said that they won't be paying for the wall.
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