Security on the border between Mexico and the United States and the reduction in fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. are the result of coordinated efforts between the two nations, stated Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo this Friday, and she asked that Mexico not be used as a political issue in the U.S. election campaign.
Responding during her morning press conference to statements by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin regarding the dispute between criminal organizations for control of the northern border to operate drug trafficking routes, the mayor highlighted that two days ago President Donald Trump acknowledged that it is currently “the most secure border” and that fentanyl trafficking has also decreased by more than 60 percent.
“There could not be a secure border if both sides did not work together, if there were no collaboration between the United States and us,” she affirmed.
Sheinbaum insisted that bilateral cooperation has been the foundation of the relationship between the two countries under different administrations and reiterated Mexico’s long-standing opposition to the construction of a border wall.
“A wall isn’t necessary. What needs to be built between the United States and Mexico are more bridges, not more walls. That has always been Mexico’s position, and it remains ours,” she said.
The president noted that some of the criticisms coming from the United States should be understood within the context of the electoral process that country will hold in November.
“There’s also a lot at this moment linked to their election in November. As we’ve said, we don’t want them to use Mexico. There are many important issues in the United States that need to be addressed, so why use Mexico as part of the campaign?” she stated.
She also defended the actions taken by her government against drug trafficking and maintained that the reduction in fentanyl detected by U.S. authorities could not be explained without the work done by Mexico.
“How could there be a reduction in fentanyl entering the United States if we weren’t doing our job? It couldn’t be explained. It has to do with the work we do, the work they do, and the coordination we’ve established,” she asserted.
When asked about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to block asylum applications at the border with Mexico, Sheinbaum noted that the ruling ratifies the decision made by the U.S. president at the beginning of his administration to eliminate the CBP One program.
She indicated that this is a sovereign decision of the United States and added that Mexico will continue to assist migrants who remain in its territory, either by facilitating their stay or supporting their voluntary return to their countries of origin.
Regarding the investigation into the alleged participation of CIA agents in an operation carried out in Chihuahua, Sheinbaum reiterated that all authorities in the country must comply with the National Security Law and maintained that any relationship with foreign agencies in security matters must be authorized by the federal government. She indicated that it is the responsibility of the Attorney General’s Office to report on the progress of the investigation and, if applicable, to establish accountability. “Anyone who wants to have a relationship with a U.S. agency must necessarily go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she emphasized.
Source: jornada
