Mexico offers Julian Assangget political asylum

“Assange is a journalist and deserves an opportunity. I am in favour of his apology”, said Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador.

He added that the Mexican state would provide 49-year-old Australian protection.

Lopez Obrador said Mexico would provide “for anyone receiving asylum not to interfere in the political affairs of any country”.

Mexico has welcomed many political asylum seekers over the years, from anti-imperialist hero Nicaragua Cesar Augusto Sandino to Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky and, recently, former Bolivian President Evo Morales.

A British court rejected the US request for Asseng's extradition, explaining that there was a possibility that he would commit suicide in an American prison because of his psychological state.

The United States government has announced it will appeal the verdict.

This will not be something Biden will support, as the Mexican president appears to be seeking to create disagreements with the future US administration”, Sarukhan said.

Lopez Obrador's relations with Biden have a difficult start because he was one of the last high profile leaders to congratulate him on his victory, saying he wanted to wait until legal disputes were resolved.

Activists held a protest in front of the British Embassy in Mexico City following the court's decision, demanding Assang's release.