Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/MEXICO CITY: US President Joe Biden on Monday sought stricter action against drugs and illegal migration during his talks with Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, his Mexican counterpart, as strains emerged in the neighbours’ handling of the crisis.
President Biden is visiting Mexico for the first time to meet Lopez Obrador and hold three-way talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the “Three Amigos” summit.
Traffickers of drugs
Speaking of fentanyl, an opiate that Mexican drug traffickers frequently transport across the border and has killed 100,000 Americans so far, Biden stated that it was one of his top objectives.
At the start of the talks, he stated that “how we can combat irregular migration, which I think we’re well on our way to achieving,” was another crucial subject. He referred to Mexico as a “real partner.”
While extending Biden a cordial greeting at the presidential mansion, Lopez Obrador’s demeanor darkened during the formal discussions as the Mexican president pleaded for a shift in US policy toward the area. Lopez Obrador stated, “It is time to put an end to this oblivion, this abandonment, and this disdain for Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Biden defended Washington’s track record, asserting that it had invested “tens of billions of dollars” in the region during the previous 15 years alone. He said the United States gives more aid abroad than all other nations combined. Biden continued, “Unfortunately, our responsibilities do not end in the Western Hemisphere.
Biden as president paid a politically charged visit to the southern US border for the first time while his route to Mexico. He made a lengthy stop at the border city of El Paso, Texas, where he met with US government representatives and inspected a portion of the high barrier that runs along the border. Following his visit to a customs office, Biden told reporters, “They need more resources, and we’re going to provide it for them.
A queue of migrants, some carrying little children in their arms, were deported from El Paso to Ciudad Juarez just before Biden arrived in Mexico. Jose David Melendez, a Venezuelan, told AFP that border guards had detained him at a church where he was seeking safety. “The border patrol police attacked us, forced us to flee, pointed guns at us, and pointed at kids with guns. What happened to our human rights?” stated the 25-year-old.
Biden on Thursday announced an expansion in authority to remove immigrants who arrive at the border without authorization. A legitimate, strictly enforced avenue will also be established simultaneously for as many as 30,000 migrants each month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan responded that Washington wanted to watch how the adjustments played out and added, “I don’t think we have a fixed number in mind,” when asked if the limit could be raised.
Memorable welcome to US president
Lopez Obrador and his wife Beatriz Gutierrez welcomed the US president and Jill Biden at the National Palace during a memorable welcoming ceremony for its smiles, warm handshakes, and even hugs.
The first wives spoke together in both English and Spanish, highlighting the unifying ideals of the two nations. Jill Biden stated, “We believe that the voice of the people is powerful and that the foundation of democracy is freedom of faith, speech, and the press.” We dare to dream of a time where everyone is equal and free, and we reject all manifestations of xenophobia, racism, prejudice, and classism, she declared.
Cartel violence in Mexico
Since the government sent the military into the war on drugs in 2006, more than 340,000 people have been killed in Mexico due to cartel violence.
Before Biden’s visit, Mexican security authorities apprehended the son of notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is incarcerated in the US and serving a life sentence. The conference will also include cooperation in clean energy technology and climate change, with Mexico aiming to benefit from Washington’s efforts to decrease its reliance on Asian manufacturing.
