France’s former first lady Valérie Trierweiler has drawn attention to a high-profile custody battle involving one of Mexico’s most powerful politicians, at a time when President François Hollande is hoping to mend ties between the two countries, reports FRANCE 24.
Trierweiler made a dramatic appeal via Twitter on Wednesday, urging France to use its diplomatic muscle to help Maude Versini, a French publicist fighting to recover her three children from ex-husband Arturo Montiel.
The timing of the tweet from France’s former first lady could not have been more opportune, with President François Hollande arriving in Mexico on a highly-publicised – and already potentially awkward - state visit Thursday morning.
“I support @MaudeVersini who has not seen her 3 children, held by their father in Mexico, for 847 days. We must help her. @francediplo must act,” Trierweiler wrote, referring to the official Twitter account of France’s Foreign Ministry.
In response to Trierweiler’s endorsement, Versini wrote: “I hope that @fhollande [the French president] will do everything possible to find a solution to this intolerable nightmare”.
Trierweiler, 49, has hardly been heard of or seen in public since her dramatic breakup with Hollande in January.
The French president is scheduled to meet with his Mexican counterpart, Enrique Pena Nieto, who is a friend and ally of Arturo Montiel.
Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.