MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexican President Andres Manuel Obrador stated Tuesday that he will not be attending the Summit of the Americas hosted by the U.S. if the entire region was not invited. Instead, Marcelo Ebrard would take his place as Foreign Minister.

Lopez Obrador stated during his weekly news conference that he was not expected to be absent at the Los Angeles summit next month, days after his visit to Cuba.

U.S. officials previously stated it was unlikely that Nicaragua, Cuba or Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would be invited to participate in the summit. This is an attempt to show democracy across the entire hemisphere.

Lopez Obrador explained that even if all were invited and excluded, Lopez Obrador would still go.