Members of the Afghan robotics team of all the girls land in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Aug 24 (Reuters) – Five members of an all-female Afghan robotics team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday evening, fleeing an uncertain future at home following the recent collapse of the state-backed government United and the acquisition of the Taliban militant group.

“We warmly welcome you to Mexico,” Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister Martha Delgado said as she greeted them during a press conference at Mexico City International Airport.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last week as the United States and its allies withdrew troops from the country. The White House and its U.S. allies are vying to complete the evacuation of all vulnerable foreigners and Afghans before the August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban expires, the U.S. president said this week , Joe Biden. Read more

The team, made up of girls and women up to 14 years old, has been announced to have won international awards for its robots and began work in March on an open source, low-cost fan since the coronavirus pandemic it struck the war-torn nation.

The Taliban, which previously banned girls from schools and women from working when they ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s, has pledged to prioritize women’s rights and girls ’education.

Mexico is committed to helping Afghan women and girls. Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter on August 18 that the country had begun “processing the first refugee applications from Afghan citizens, especially women and girls who have applied for it.” tendered, ”with the help of Guillermo Puente Ordorica, Mexico’s ambassador to Iran.

Tuesday’s safe arrival in Mexico was made possible by an “extensive effort and international coordination of a group of volunteers” who helped the girls, according to a volunteer who asked for anonymity for fear of the safety of the remaining families. under the control of the Taliban.

The Foreign Ministry invited the press to the gates of arrival at Mexico City airport at three in the morning, local time, Wednesday, saying that “a large group of people from the coming is expected to arrive. of Afghanistan “and that Ebrard will deliver a message.

Other members of the robotics team landed in Qatar in recent days.

Reports from Katanga Johnson in Washington and Anthony Esposito in Mexico City; Additional reports by Diego Ore in Mexico City; Editing by Heather Timmons, Sandra Maler and Michael Perry

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