California state senators slammed U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during a visit to Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and urged Latinos to avoid voting for him.
California Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León is leading a delegation of senators to Mexico this week, intended to bolster policy and economic collaboration, and foster trade and good will.
During their six-day stay in Mexico City, the delegation seek to strengthen economic, environmental, governmental, and cultural ties between California and Mexico.
California Democratic State Senator Ben Hueso urged Latinos to vote against Trump.
“If the Latinos vote, Trump will not win. That is clear to us,” Hueso said. “So we have to really focus on that message, how we can encourage Mexicans to go out and vote and when there are different leaders in Mexico who say: ‘This candidate is horrible,’ that helps, that helps and for that message to reach homes in the US, reaches on behalf of us, leaders in California but also leaders in Mexico.”
Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has been highly critical of Mexico, saying the country sends rapists and drug dealers to the United States. He has called for a wall to be built on the border that would be paid for by Mexico.
During a controversial visit to Mexico last week, Trump said at a joint news conference with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto that they did not discuss who would pay for the wall. Peña Nieto remained silent on the issue at the event, but said later on Twitter that he made it clear Mexico would not pay for the wall.
De León said they rejected rhetoric by Trump.
“We categorically reject the candidates who continue to promoting a repugnant rhetoric against the most marginalized, such as Donald Trump,” de León said. “Mexico is a dear neighbor. Mexico is a commercial partner. Mexico is our brother.”
California State Senator Ben Allen praised collaboration between the two countries.
“The majority of the people in the United States believe in Mexico, understand that Mexicans are good people and are friends, they are us and it is a very important relationship for us. This trip is part of this message. The importance of our relations, our friendship and our cooperation in the future,” Allen said from Santa Monica, California.
Meetings and workshops between the senators, federal government officials and others will focus on renewable energy and climate change, economic growth and job creation and ways to better support and uplift immigrant communities.
The senators are scheduled to meet with Mexican President Peña Nieto as well as several local and federal government officials.