MEXICO.- During a recent interview, the President of Uruguay, Juse Mujica, criticized the violence and corruption that is taking place in Mexico. Now, both the country and the President are apologizing for the comments

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In an interview with "Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica"

after being questioned about the violence taking place in Mexico, and the disappearance of the 43 students from a teacher training acadamy in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, President Mujica stated that that "the corruption is established, and it gives me the impression, from afar, that it is like a tacit social custom. Surely, the corrupt are not seen as bad people, and are seen as the good guys."

adding that "to one it appears as though it is a failed state, and that the public powers have been completely lost, and disintegrated".

"Mexico has the obligation- whomever may fall,

whomever it will hurt, and whatever the consequences may be - to get to the bottom of this issue, because this has caused parallel issues such as the additional burial pits. This means that there are more dead people that were not even being looked for. So, the life of a human is less than that of a dog.", said Mujica in an interview.

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The Government of Mexico quickly responded that it was "surprised and categorically denies" these accusations, and even asked that the Uruguayan ambassador answer for the President.

On Monday, the embassy emitted a communication attempting to counter-rest the initial comments, with official words from the president stating that Mujica and Uruguay are confident in the institutions and powers in Mexico, and "they are not, and will not become a failed state, because they have strong historical foundations, and posses the political capital and democratic foundation to overcome what the country is currently going through."

They even go so far as to blame "unscrupulous commercial methodology" for the social problems facing Mexico and Central America, and state that they are "standing in solidarity with Mexico, and are committed to its fight, and will support its legitimate government with whatever support can be offered to overcome these difficult times."

Mujica also emphasized the "profound ties that have historically united the President of Uruguay with Mexico, its institutions, and its people" and considers the tragedy the country is suffering as one that affects everybody.

With information from Efe.

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jose.sanchez@sandiegored.com