Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that he was withdrawing the appointment of a university professor accused by the #MeToo movement of sexual harassment as ambassador to Panama.
Lopez Obrador compared Panama’s foreign minister to “the Holy Inquisition” for refusing to approve his chosen envoy, Pedro Salmeron.
In 2019, Salmeron left his position as professor at the private ITAM university in Mexico City after he was accused by students of sexual harassment.
His appointment as envoy to Panama was opposed by feminist groups using the slogan: “A stalker should not be an ambassador.”
Lopez Obrador has previously dismissed the accusations against Salmeron as a “media lynching,” saying no evidence had been presented to the relevant authorities.
But he was left with little choice after Panama made its position clear.
Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes “asked us not to send the approval request” for Salmeron’s accreditation, Lopez Obrador told reporters.
“We had proposed him as ambassador to Panama, and as if it were the Holy Inquisition, the minister of Panama expressed her disagreement,” he added.
Jesusa Rodriguez, a substitute senator, would be appointed ambassador instead, Lopez Obrador said.
Mexico’s president drew criticism last year after he defended a gubernatorial candidate accused of rape.
He has criticized feminist groups, suggesting that their demonstration marches are promoted by his enemies to undermine his government.