BOGOTA — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday reiterated his opposition to constructing a border wall, emphasizing that Mexico is a free and independent nation.

Speaking at a dam inauguration in the city of Mazatlan, located in Sinaloa state, 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 declared during his speech.

Obrador also highlighted the substantial 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 October 1. — Agencies