Mexican Journalist Carlos Loret de Mola. Photo Courtesy Carlos Loret’s Facebook.
Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
One such incident recently occurred between Mexico’s President, Manuel Lopez Obrador, and prominent journalist Carlos Loret, influential individuals.
The Accusations:
Carlos Loret, on his Twitter account and Latinus media outlet, accused President Lopez Obrador of not timely warning about the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Otis. According to Loret, the president failed to mention the hurricane during his daily press conference, the “mañanera”, even when the National Meteorological Service had already issued warnings. Loret suggests that the president’s tweet about the hurricane at 8:00 PM was too late for people to take necessary precautions.
Loret further criticized the president for his decision to travel by land to the affected areas, questioning why he didn’t utilize the military’s vast resources, including helicopters and planes, mainly when the president used these means for other projects.
The President’s Response:
President Lopez Obrador, in turn, questioned Loret’s credibility during his “mañanera”, asking about Loret’s earnings and implying that the journalist was more focused on personal gain rather than delivering unbiased news. The president also countered one of Loret’s claims, highlighting a discrepancy in the reported number of deaths in a hospital due to a lack of electricity.
El gobierno de la Cuarta Transformación está con el pueblo de Guerrero ahora y siempre. Conferencia matutina https://t.co/iAFc1o69QS
— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) October 27, 2023
Hurricane Otis’ Impact:
Amidst this verbal altercation, the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis cannot be ignored. Classified as a Category 5 hurricane, it hit Mexico’s southern Pacific coast with unparalleled fury. The rapid intensification of the hurricane took many by surprise, with meteorologists initially expecting it to be a mere tropical storm. Acapulco and surrounding areas felt the brunt of its wrath, and the National Hurricane Center called it a “directly serious situation.” As the fallout between President Lopez Obrador and Carlos Loret continues, it serves as a reminder of the complicated dynamics between politicians and journalists. While the two may not always see eye to eye, the importance of timely communication, especially during natural disasters, is paramount. As Hurricane Otis has shown, preparedness and proactive response can mean the difference between life and death.
