Mexico's first female presidential inauguration in controversy over Putin invitation

Less than two months before the inauguration of Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, the invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin caused diplomatic chaos for the new leader.

Spanish newspaper El País explained that, according to Mexico, this is not a formal invitation but rather a "diplomatic note" sent to all countries with a bilateral relationship so their leaders can set aside the date (October 1).

The action generated reactions from other countries, notably the United States and Ukraine, despite Mexico explaining it was not a formal invitation.

According to CNN, the United States has indicated that the presence of the Russian "autocrat" would "detract from a historic event," referring to the first time Mexico will appoint a woman as President.

“As a sovereign nation, Mexico decides who to invite to these events. However, the presence of an autocrat, responsible for so much death and destruction, would detract from what will be a historic moment for Mexico,” a spokesperson for the US State Department told CNN En Español.

The United States guaranteed it "remains firm in its support for Ukraine and the Charter of the United Nations" and hoped that Mexico would clarify its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

However, the US did not rule out cooperation with Mexico. “We look forward to working closely with President-elect Sheinbaum on our shared vision of a prosperous and secure North America,” the spokesperson told CNN.

Ukraine was more firm in its reproach. According to France 24, the country expects Mexico to comply with the arrest warrant issued against Putin by the International Criminal Court for war crimes due to the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.

"We trust that the Mexican government would comply with the international arrest order by handing over the aforementioned (Putin) to the judicial body of the United Nations in The Hague," the Ukrainian embassy said.

Mexico is a signatory to the Treaty of Rome and, in theory, should "exercise its criminal jurisdiction against those responsible for international crimes."

Claudia Sheinbaum said that the invitation was nothing extraordinary and that the diplomatic note was part of the protocolary practice. 

However, Mexican outlet El Financiero reported that the Russian media Izvestia highlighted that Mexico and Moscow have maintained good relations despite “Western attempts to isolate the Russian Federation.”

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