U.S. and Mexican officials convened at Palacio Nacional for a joint press availability, addressing various mutual concerns. Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Attorney General Merrick Garland, White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, Mexican Secretary of Public Security and Citizen Protection Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velázquez, and Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena were present at the event.
At the High-Level Dialogue of Security on October 5, 2023, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, acknowledged the need for enhanced cooperation between the neighboring nations. She emphasized the importance of viewing migration from a developmental perspective and addressing structural causes such as poverty, violence, and inequality. Bárcena stressed the economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico, stating, "we need to make the most of such a key moment, and we shouldn't just stay on that type of rhetoric that is trying to divide or place us as adversaries instead of allies."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken echoed Bárcena's sentiment, emphasizing the partnership between the United States and Mexico. He highlighted the importance of confronting challenges related to illicit firearms, synthetic drugs, and migration. Under the Bicentennial Framework for Security, both nations agreed to work as equal partners to bolster safety, security, and well-being for their citizens.
The focus on the synthetic drug crisis, particularly involving fentanyl, was a key point of discussion. Blinken emphasized the devastating impact of fentanyl on American families and highlighted the efforts of both nations to counteract its spread.
Attorney General Merrick Garland acknowledged the shared urgency in addressing the cartels and the production and trafficking of fentanyl. He called the fentanyl produced and trafficked by cartels "the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced." Garland reiterated the commitment to tackle the threats posed by drug trafficking cartels, as well as the fight against firearms trafficking and human smuggling operations.
White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall summarized the shared objectives of the meeting. She highlighted the need to tackle the fentanyl problem, reduce arms trafficking, and address the challenge of transnational organized crime. Sherwood-Randall emphasized the importance of the collaborative work being done between the U.S. and Mexico to enhance the health, safety, and security of their people.
The joint press availability aimed to underline the shared dedication to tackling complex security challenges. Both nations pledged to continue their collaborative efforts, emphasizing the necessity of mutual respect, trust, and commitment.
