Rubio, Menendez, Kaine Ask Trump Admin to Help Protect Mexican Elections from Russia Meddling

Press Release

As Secretary Rex Tillerson prepares to travel to Mexico this week, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) called on the Trump Administration to step up its efforts and do more to protect strong, independent electoral systems in Mexico and Latin America. The Western Hemisphere is scheduled to have six contentious presidential elections in 2018 alone.

Citing news reports that Russia is purportedly already using sophisticated technology to meddle in Mexico's upcoming election, the Senators' letters to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and USAID Administrator Mark Green express increasing concern about the Kremlin's efforts to undermine the region's "hard-fought and widely supported advances in improving democratic governance structures and electoral processes."

"Given Russia's history in the region, this unfortunately comes as no surprise; these recent actions are simply the latest chapter of Russia's malign influence throughout Latin America that threatens to destabilize the region," wrote the Senators. "Weak electoral systems can be easily exploited and manipulated by malicious actors like Russia. As such, we believe it is critical that USAID continue to play an active role in providing technical assistance, education and training to support countries' efforts to strengthen electoral systems."

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