AMLO Defies Virus Worry With Hugs and Kisses at Mexico Oil Bash

(Bloomberg) -- Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the nationalization of Mexico’s petroleum reserves Wednesday at the state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos’s office tower in Mexico City, even as coronavirus cases surge globally and international health authorities urge containment measures.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador kissed and shook hands with several members of his government on stage, where he was flanked by Pemex Chief Executive Officer Octavio Romero Oropeza, Energy Minister Rocio Nahle, Interior Minister Olga Sanchez Cordero and Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, among others.

The leftist leader, known as AMLO, gave a speech on the history of Mexico’s oil nationalization, when the country kicked out foreign oil companies and returned their oil assets to the state in 1938. He had said earlier this week that the event would be smaller than usual. While Mexico does plan to suspend classes in the coming week, the government has not moved to shut down its ports of entry or to restrict visitors from certain countries. A large music festival was held over the weekend in Mexico City and soccer games were played with fans despite the number of confirmed cases climbing to 93 as of Tuesday.

A Pemex representative who asked not to be identified, citing company policy, said that its workers continue to go into the office and are working normally.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.