Mexican president thanks Biden for COVID shots

Mexico’s president thanked President Joe Biden on Friday for agreeing to provide 2.7 million COVID-19 vaccines to help compensate for a shortfall in its inoculation drive.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a news briefing that the United States has agreed to send doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine slightly more than the 2.5 million U.S. officials had previously indicated.

“We thank President Biden for sending us these vaccines,” Lopez Obrador said in the eastern state of Veracruz, stating that the deal was entered on good terms for Mexico and that he hopes the vaccines would be arriving next week.

Leaning increasingly on Russia and China to secure doses, Mexico scrambled to obtain enough vaccines for its inoculation plans due to delays in deliveries that were promised.

Officials announced the deal just as Mexico said it would restrict travel on its southern border with Guatemala to curb the spread of COVID-19, dovetailing with efforts to contain a surge in U.S.-bound illegal immigration from Central America.

Mexican and U.S. officials said the two steps were not a this for that agreement, but foreign policy experts noted that the decision suited both governments.

Lopez Obrador promised “friendship and cooperation across all spheres” in return for the vaccines, what it had “always” given the United States.

He said that the vaccines would help Mexico reach its goal of vaccinating 126 million population, people over 60 will be vaccinated with a first shot by the end of April.

Lopez Obrador also praised U.S. drugmaker Pfizer for its vaccine deliveries on Friday.