CINCINNATI -- Former Mexican president Vicente Fox, who entered the American political consciousness in February with a memorable declaration that "I’m not going to pay for that (expletive) wall," doubled down on his criticism of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in front of a crowd at the Cincinnati Hispanic Chamber Thursday night.
"God did not create borders," Fox said, calling on his audience to view Mexico and the United States as allies instead of competitors. "In the mind of this guy, there is a wall. And we will never have a wall because we are neighbors."
Fox characterized the United States’ trade relationship with Mexico as mutually beneficial, citing the long history and deep roots that companies like Coca Cola have established in Mexico. (The first Mexican Coca Cola factory opened in the 1920s.)
More than anything, Fox said, voters in the United States should focus on making decisions that will create a more compassionate, open world and elect the best leader for their country regardless of political dogma.
"Compassion is the engine that will move the world,” Fox said.
Fox served as Mexico’s president from 2000 to 2006. He is a member of the National Action Party, which is a centrist political group and one of Mexico’s three major political parties.
