President Andrés Manuel López Obrador reported that in the conversation he had with his United States counterpart, Joe Biden, Mexico agreed to strengthen security on its southern border in the face of an imminent increase in migratory flow due to the possible elimination of Chapter 42. In the morning conference at the National Palace, he insisted that this measure is to protect Central Americans because it is dangerous to cross Mexico to reach the American Union, but he also clarified that his main objective is to address the causes that cause people to leave their countries.
“We are working in a coordinated manner with the United States government, helping and yes, we have to protect the southern border to protect, although it may seem contradictory or paradoxical, the migrants, because it is not convenient to cross the country, it is very risky and we have to take care of them.
We have seen the most unfortunate cases of crimes against migrants on the northern border. We are going to have more protection on the southern border, but insisting, I will not get tired of insisting that the causes must be addressed,” he declared.
Despite this measure, the president commented that it is not only with coercive measures that the problem of migration will be solved, and for this reason he asked the United States to speed up investment in Central America to promote employment and development.
In addition, he raised again the importance of regional economic integration because the United States does not have a labor force.
“We are asking you to hurry up, because how can the Capitol solve in a few days to send 30 billion dollars for defense in Ukraine and we have spent four years without authorizing 4 billion for Central America? With all due respect,” he added.
He reiterated that the region must be strengthened following the model of the European community, because in America there are “many natural resources, workforce, technology, capital and market.”