The ambassador of Mexico called it "vulgar and racist"

US senator slammed for comments about Mexicans

John F. Kennedy. Archival

US Senator John F. Kennedy has been criticized for comments he made at a hearing last week, while Mexico's ambassador to Washington, Esteban Moctezuma, called the US lawmaker's words "vulgar and racist."

Kennedy questioned DEA Director Anne Milgram at a congressional hearing and asked about fentanyl transporting to the United States from Mexico. The senator spoke about the size of the countries' economies and the United States' purchase of goods from Mexico.

"Without the people of America, Mexicans, figuratively, would eat canned cat food and live in remote tents," Kennedy said.

The Mexican Embassy in the United States shared a two-page letter to Kennedy written by Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma to Kennedy on Thursday: "While I was listening, my initial reaction was to respond to you in the same low, informed, arrogant tone as the one you used. But it's always better to use reason than courage, so I remembered the vibrant relationship that exists between Mexico and the United States."

"I thought of the 33 million American tourists who visited Mexico last year eager to learn about our culture; $800 billion in trade between our two countries comes to mind. And, of course, the delicious Mexican food that most Americans consume in thousands of crowded restaurants."

The ambassador added that

"Louisianians don't think they feel represented by the vulgar words and racism they use." "Senator, constructive cooperation between allied countries such as the United States and Mexico cannot be achieved by talking about crimes and threats," he added.

Kennedy called Mexico a "friend" of the United States at the hearing, but said President Andres Manuel López Obrador "has criminal organizations that kill our people."

The words of the US legislator were described as "vulgar and racist"