US-Mexico talks ease tensions over border wall construction

2023-10-06 17:11:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US and Mexican officials held talks on immigration, illegal drug trafficking and other shared challenges on Thursday in Mexico. Due to the uncertainty over the possible expansion of the US-Mexico border wall, the Secretary of National Security of the United States was forced to explain the position of the US administration. VOA Correspondent Veronica Balderas Iglesias of VOA reports.

Discussions between high-level officials of the United States and Mexico focused on assessing and promoting progress by both countries on challenging issues such as illegal drug and arms trafficking.

"We are deepening cooperation for investigations, arrests and prosecutions. Mexican authorities are sending 40 percent more requests than 6 years ago to trace firearms to the United States, enabling law enforcement to stop gun trafficking at the source," said Antony Blinken, Secretary American of the State

United States Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the extradition of Ovidio Gomez Lopez, head of the Sinaloa Cartel and son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

"We know this would not have been possible without the sacrifice of Mexican law enforcement and military service members who gave their lives to bring justice," said Mr. Garland.

While stressing that Mexico is not a producer of fentanyl, Security Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez announced new strategies to curb drug trafficking.

"We will hold meetings with countries that produce chemical substances to regulate the market. We will continue to pursue criminal organizations that currently sell or buy synthetic drugs," said Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Mexico's Security Secretary.

Thursday marked the first time that migration was part of the discussions at the high-level bilateral meeting.

However, uncertainty over the stance of President Biden's administration and recent actions regarding the expansion of the border wall received more attention.

US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas denied there was a change in policy.

"The construction of the wall was approved and financed during the previous administration, in 2019, and the law obliges the use of this fund for this purpose," said Mr. Mayorkas.

Earlier in the day, the President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, strongly criticized the move.

As bilateral talks drew to a close, Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Barcena struck a more conciliatory tone.

"Secretary Mayorkas was clear and clarified what is happening and unfortunately, the announcement coincides with their visit," said Mrs. Bárcena.

The US Secretary of Homeland Security said that border security will require a comprehensive approach, including modern technology for surveillance and modernization of border entry points./ VOA