The current Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has established new rules and changes ever since he was elected president back in 2018. The leader has shown that he likes to fly in commercial class in order to save money; therefore, the airplane the government has available for him; has not been used lately.
A few days ago López Obrador announced that he and his administration are planning to raffle the presidential aircraft. The leader has always been interested on putting the luxurious airplane on sell, even from the days when he was on the campaing trail.
One of the main reasons they want to get rid of the airplane, is the cost of maintenance. The amount of money they have to collect on taxes for maintaining it is a big one. The pupulist leader believes that is better to invest all that money on the poorer communities of the country which need the help.
Trying to sell the aircraft has been a complete headache for everyone; negotiations have not resulted as expected. Evere since Obrador was elected for the mexican peopple, the plane has not been used for any flights, collecting dust. Mexico has attempted to sell it to USA or Canada, but they could not reach an accord. They also tried to exchange the plane for medical equipment; nevertheless, there are no countries willing to do it.
López Obrador proposed a way to offload the plane; however, this solutions does not seem to be the best one for anyone. He wants to raffle the plane, selling tickets for 27 dollars each. The goal is to sell 6 million tickets.
The raffle tickets contain a photo of the plane and the words «Gran Sorteo Especial», while also commemorating the anniversary of Battle of Puebla. In the bottom the text says «It is a cooperation for medical equipment and hospitals where poor people are treated.
The aircraft, named José María Morelos y Pavón was purchased by the mexican government in 2012 for 218 million dollars. The truth is that getting rid of the plane is going to be a tough task, even more when it has not been used, and the price is high. It is a presidential jet after all.
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