Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador
President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during the Ayotzinapa case report at Palacio Nacional on September 26, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced through Twitter on Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19, but his symptoms were "mild."

He also said that after testing positive for COVID-19, he received medical treatment against the virus and was "optimistic."

"I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19," Lopez Obrador said in a tweet detailing his treatment and expressing hope to "move forward."

Lopez Obrador joined other world leaders who also tested positive for COVID-19, most of whom have already recovered from the disease, noted ABC 7.

Lopez Obrador was heavily criticized for handling the country's pandemic, where the virus claimed nearly 150,000 lives. It was the fourth-highest death toll in the world, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Lopez Obrador Played Down COVID-19 Risks

Lopez Obrador frequently played down the risks of the pandemic and was rarely seen wearing a mask. He also continued to keep up a busy travel schedule and took commercial flights, noted The Associated Press.

He also refused a lockdown on Mexico's economy, arguing that it will have a devastating effect on Americans' daily lives.

Early into the pandemic, when he was asked how he was protecting Mexico, he presented two amulets from his wallet and showed them off, saying these were "protective shield."

Lopez Obrador to Skip Daily News Conferences While Recovering

Sixty-seven-year-old Lopez Obrador also said that he would be stepping away from his daily news conferences while he recovers, reported The Washington Post.

He also expressed intent to continue working from the National Palace, where he lives, Financial Times reported. Dr. Olga Sánchez Cordero, the Interior Secretary, will be replacing Lopez Obrador in his daily morning conferences.

Mexico has yet to approve the Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 from Russia, but its government is desperate to get more Pfizer shots. These may help with the supply gap in Mexico, where the coronavirus has infected more than 1.7 million people.