In what can only be called an ironic reversal, Mexican protesters temporarily blocked Americans who were attempting to leave the United States and the coronavirus pandemic, according to AZCentral:

“Protesters on the Mexican side of the border blocked for several hours on Wednesday the Mexico-bound lanes at the main border crossing in the twin border cities of Ambos Nogales, to express their displeasure with the Mexican government’s response so far to the new coronavirus pandemic.

“They demanded greater controls and screenings on southbound traffic at the U.S.-Mexico border out of concern that travelers from the U.S. could import new cases of the coronavirus into Mexico.”

The number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has exploded in recent days, with nearly 69,000 people infected. Over 1,000 Americans have died as a result of the disease.

Mexico, however, has seen fewer instances of infection with coronavirus, and the Americans seeking to enter Mexico were apparently hoping to avoid contracting the virus by entering Mexican territory.

The Mexican protesters carried sings that urged U.S. residents to “stay at home” Some also said that Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador needs to make it much more difficult for Americans to enter their country during the current medical crisis caused by the pandemic:

“Jose Luis Hernandez, with the group called Sonorenses por la Salud y la Vida (Sonorans for Health and Life), explained the reason for Wednesday’s blockade. He called it the ‘first warning’ for López Obrador.

“’There are no health screenings by the federal government to deal with this pandemic,’ he said. ‘That’s why we’re here in Nogales. We’ve taken this action to call on the Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to act now.'”

The group has also presented the Mexican government with a list of demands. The list includes:

  • A temporary ban on on visits for tourism and minor medical procedures in Mexico by U.S. citizens
  • An increase in conronavirus screenings for anyone crossing into Mexico

According to Hernandez, the bottom line is health and security:

“This is for your health. This is for your family. Or what do you want to happen? That this becomes worse given the irresponsibility of the Mexican government? Of course not. That’s why were here.”

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