Trump sparks ire, distrust in Latin America

US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, US, January 11, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

MEXICO CITY - US president-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday sparked anger, uncertainty and skepticism among Latin Americans, following his first press conference since winning the election.

Trump infuriated Mexicans once again by repeating his pledge to build a wall along the border and have Mexico foot the bill.

"We're going to start building" as soon as possible, and "Mexico in some form, and there are many different forms, will reimburse us," said Trump.

Mexico's most outspoken Trump critic, former president Vicente Fox, wasted no time in responding.

"Neither today, nor tomorrow nor never Mexico will pay for that stupid wall," Fox posted to Twitter.

"If Trump wants a monument to his ego, let him pay for it!!," added Fox.

He also warned "it's clear that we're facing a new era of dictatorship with Donald Trump," but he added there was no need to fear Trump.

Mexican historian and intellectual Enrique Krauze echoed Fox's sentiments with a tweet, saying that there was "no way" Mexico will pay for the wall.

Like many other observers around the globe, including in the United States, Krauze noted Trump's "aggressive" manner when speaking to reporters.

"Trump's level of aggression and disregard for civil debate and the press is terrifying. And he's not even in power yet," said Krauze.

Mexico's representative to the Washington-based Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Alfonso de Alba, said a wall would not necessarily be effective, and neighbors should take a more humanitarian and comprehensive approach to immigration.

"In the end, they (migrants) do not contribute solely to their country of origin, but also to the country they end up in," said De Alba, who was attending an event at Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto also rejected Trump's demand, saying that Mexico will not pay for the wall but will seek open and complete negotiations with Trump't government.

In Cuba, people who watched the live broadcast remained perplexed about the future of bilateral ties with the United States.