BOGOTA 

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday reaffirmed his stance against constructing a border wall, emphasizing that Mexico is a free and independent nation.

Speaking at a dam inauguration in the city of Mazatlan in Sinaloa state, alongside President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, Obrador indirectly criticized US presidential candidate Donald Trump's promise to build a border wall.

"We do not want wall construction, we do not want the border to be filled with soldiers, and we do not want our citizens to be mistreated. Remember, Mexico is a free, independent, and sovereign country. We are not a colony of any foreign nation," Obrador said during his speech.

Obrador also highlighted the significant economic contributions of Mexican migrants, who send an estimated $65 billion annually back to the country.

"Migrants deserve praise, and whether others like it or not, we will defend them," he asserted.

Claudia Sheinbaum, who won the presidential election in Mexico on June 2, is set to succeed Obrador on Oct. 1.