Officials from Mexico and the U.S. have agreed to keep border crossings open, according to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
The Mexican leader spoke at a press conference Thursday following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to discuss the ongoing immigrant crisis at the shared border.
“There’s more and more movement on the border, on the bridges, and that’s why we must be careful so that the crossings are not closed. That agreement was reached,” Lopez Obrador said.
“The rail crossings and the border bridges are already being opened to normalize the situation,” Lopez Obrador told reporters, according to Reuters. “Every day there is more movement on the border bridges.”
Secretary of State Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas and other U.S. officials met today with Mexican President López Obrador in Mexico City to discuss “joint efforts on current border challenges.” pic.twitter.com/s676tLpfeQ
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) December 27, 2023
“The United States earlier this month temporarily shuttered several crossings, including two key rail bridges, to redeploy enforcement resources elsewhere across the border amid soaring migrant numbers, a pivotal issue in next year’s U.S. elections,” Reuters reported.
Lopez Obrador characterized Wednesday’s meetings with Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as “direct” as he praised his country’s relationship with President Joe Biden.
“The relationship with Biden is very good, and he is very respectful of us, of Mexico,” he said, adding that Biden “understands that this (migration) phenomenon has to do with poverty.”
I spoke with President López Obrador of Mexico regarding efforts to manage migration in the Western Hemisphere.
More enforcement actions are urgently needed to reopen key ports of entry across our shared border.
Our teams will convene in the coming days to further actions. pic.twitter.com/dElI6EQAqb
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 22, 2023
Mayorkas touted the “very productive” meeting in a post on X.
We had a very productive meeting with President @lopezobrador_ and members of his Cabinet today in Mexico City. The regional challenge of migration requires regional solutions, and we appreciate Mexico’s commitment to continue its efforts alongside us and with others.
— Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) December 28, 2023
Blinken noted that it was “Good to discuss” the issues with Mexico’s president.
The U.S.-Mexico partnership is crucial to prosperity and security in our countries and throughout the Americas. Good to discuss these issues, and our shared efforts to reduce irregular migration, with @lopezobrador_ today in Mexico City. pic.twitter.com/uNdEq8QMAh
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 27, 2023
Despite concerns over the trafficking of fentanyl across the border, the U.S. and Mexican delegations “hardly discussed” the issue, according to Lopez Obrador.
“The bilateral talks come as hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers, many with small children, slowly walk across southern Mexico. The caravan, which Lopez Obrador has reduced to some 1,500 people, is unlikely to reach the U.S. border,” Reuters noted.
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett reacted to reports of the decision by U.S. and Mexican officials in a post on X.
“We have been sold out by our overlords.Remember this in in 2024!”the Tennessee Republican wrote.
We have been sold out by our overlords.Remember this in in 2024! https://t.co/vlGzAWYjiu
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) December 28, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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