Mexican president elect introduces civilian head of security

Sofia Ortega and Amy Guthrie, Associated Press
Updated 11:02 pm CDT, Sunday, September 16, 2018

TEPIC, Mexico (AP) — Mexico's president-elect kicked off a nationwide tour Sunday with his new head of security in tow: a restaurant owner named Daniel Asaf who will coordinate a civilian brigade in lieu of the Mexican equivalent of the U.S. Secret Service.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who takes office Dec. 1, introduced Asaf to reporters at Mexico City's international airport before departing for Tepic, capital of the western state of Nayarit. He said Asaf will organize 20 civilian assistants who will accompany him five at a time so he can interact with voters without getting squashed.

The wildly popular Lopez Obrador enjoys engaging with everyday Mexicans and is mobbed daily by well-wishers. He shakes hands. He poses for pictures. And he pauses to listen to pleas that range from tearful requests for assistance locating kidnapped or missing loved ones to humble requests for jobs.

Lopez Obrador campaigned across Mexico for 13 years with two failed bids for the presidency before winning the highest office in a landslide July vote. He visited remote and dangerous hamlets with a modest entourage.

More:
https://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Mexican-president-elect-introduces-civilian-head-13234114.php