Congressmen Gonzalez and Vela Ask Speaker Pelosi for Firm Commitment on Security from Mexico for USMCA

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Filemon Vela (TX-34) sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressing their grave concern about transnational criminal organizations' continued interference in the flow of cross border commerce and tourism. The members requested the Speaker's assistance to secure a firm commitment from the Mexican government to guarantee the protection of highways between the United States and Mexico used for trade and tourism.

"Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and every president before him for more than a decade has promised to clean up crime in Mexico to no avail," said Congressman Gonzalez. "We can no longer afford to be silent. This trade pact is critical to our economy and we need to get this right or risk standing in the way of our own economic success."

"Security along trade routes is essential to the success of any trade agreement," said Congressman Vela. "We must continue to work with our Mexican partners to address trade in a comprehensive manner—that includes addressing security issues—for the continued prosperity of both of our economies."

According to the letter: a report released by the Mexico's Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, 2018 was Mexico's worst year of violence by far with a 15% increase from 2017 and a recorded 33,341 homicides. The Transported Asset Protection Association also reported more than 4,000 incidents of cargo theft during the second quarter of 2018, a 27% increase from 2017. In addition, the State Department recently issued travel advisories urging those traveling to Mexico to exercise extreme caution due to crime, kidnapping, violence and robbery in every Mexican state bordering the United States.

Safety for people and trade in the border region has remained a top priority for Congressman Gonzalez. He has pushed U.S. and Mexican officials to include security commitments with operational plans like the Safe Highway proposal. Mexican leadership still has yet to produce proper timelines and implementations plans for this pilot program which would secure six highways throughout Mexico, including Highway 40D, which connects to international bridges along the U.S. – Mexico border.

Full text of the letter is available here.