Mexico Hails Unspecified ‘Important’ Deals With US in Talks on Migration, Trade Ana Isabel Martinez, Sarah Morland and Valentine Hilaire - Reuters
go to original January 5, 2024

Top US officials meet with Mexican president to address migrant crisis (ABC News)

Mexico said it had struck unspecified "important" deals with the United States after talks that U.S. officials sought to focus on curbing record-high migration, a key issue in next year's U.S. elections.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken led the closed-door negotiations for the U.S. side, and Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena told reporters she had pushed U.S. officials to ease any remaining curbs on cross-border trade.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is seeking the help of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to reduce a record high number of migrants wanting to enter the world's wealthiest economy from Mexico, a key issue with voters ahead of Biden's expected re-election bid next year.

In a post on social media, Lopez Obrador hailed what he described as "important agreements" following the talks with U.S. officials, but without giving any details on the deals.

Lopez Obrador said he had requested the meeting to discuss cooperation on migration, the economy and security.

The meetings come after more than half a million migrants this year crossed the dangerous Darien Gap jungle connecting South America with Central America – double last year's record – with many fleeing crime, poverty and conflict to seek better prospects in the United States.

Earlier this month, the U.S. border authorities temporarily closed two key rail border crossings for five days and shuttered other crossings in order to redeploy enforcement resources elsewhere in response to spiking migration.

In remarks outside Lopez Obrador's downtown offices, Barcena described reopening the crossings as a "priority" for Mexico.

Read the rest at Reuters

Related: US Delegation Met With Mexico's Government on Migrant Influx (FRANCE 24)

Related: Open Customs Posts, Less Razor Wire: Mexico and the US Take Action to Ease Friction Over Migration (EL PAÍS)

Related: A View From a Migrant Caravan Where Thousands Had Hoped to Make It to the U.S. (NPR)

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