Mexico withdraws Hurricane Harvey aid offer after suffering own earthquake - for which Trump fails to send condolences
Country had pledged to offer food, generators and medical aid to Texas 'as good neighbours should always do in trying times'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mexico has withdrawn its offer of aid to US victims of Hurricane Harvey after a 8.1 magnitude earthquake hit the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, killing 96 people.
A statement released by Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said the aid would now be redirected to help those affected by the devastating earthquake and Hurricane Katia that wreaked havoc on home soil.
As many as 5,000 homes were destroyed in Chiapas, with authorities fearing the damage in Oaxaca could be even worse.
"Given this situation, the Mexican government will channel all available logistical support to the families and communities that have been affected in Mexico and has informed the Texas and US governments that, unfortunately, on this occasion, it won't be possible to provide the assistance originally offered to Texas in late August in the wake of Hurricane Harvey," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Mexico had pledged to offer food, generators and medical aid to Texas “as good neighbours should always do in trying times.”
The Mexican Red Cross also sent 33 volunteers to help the relief effort in Houston.
But the US President never formally accepted the offer and continued to attack Mexico on Twitter, calling the country "one of the highest crime nations in the world."
Mr Trump failed to offer condolences to the country after the earthquake and the separate hurricane, sparking heavy condemnation from around the world.
Hours after rescinding the aid offer, Mexico's Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray reportedly received a phone call from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
"[Mr] Tillerson offered his condolences for the loss of life and the devastation caused by the earthquake in Mexico and from Hurricane Katia," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. “He emphasised to Foreign Secretary Videgaray that the US government stands ready to assist our neighbours in Mexico during this difficult time.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments