Sheinbaum arranges a three-way encounter with the leaders of Guatemala and Belize, as detailed in Monday's morning briefing.
Mexico City, August 13 — In a significant diplomatic move, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico will welcome Prime Minister Johnny Bricenio of Belize and President Bernardo Arevalo of Guatemala at Calakmul for a trilateral meeting on Friday. The gathering marks a new chapter in regional cooperation, with the leaders set to discuss various pressing issues and potential collaborations.
The announcement comes after a series of conversations between President Sheinbaum and President Arevalo, with the latter extending an invitation to the Mexican president to visit Guatemala. President Sheinbaum has expressed her admiration and respect for her Guatemalan counterpart, stating that there are "very interesting issues" to discuss with the two Central American leaders.
In addition to the trilateral meeting, President Sheinbaum will also announce agreements with Guatemala and Belize on Friday. The details of these agreements have not been disclosed, but they are likely to focus on strengthening economic, environmental, and security ties between the three nations.
Meanwhile, the issue of Mexican immigrants detained in the United States has been a contentious topic. Reports suggest that 81 Mexicans are currently being held at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility in Florida. President Sheinbaum's government is actively advocating for their immediate deportation.
In a separate development, Mexico's Congress has approved legislation that regulates the activities of foreign agents in the country, removes their diplomatic immunity, and allows for their expulsion from Mexico. This move underscores the Mexican government's commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and independence.
It is worth noting that Mexico's current policy allows for intelligence and surveillance drone flights by U.S. agencies such as the CIA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over its territory. These missions, which are conducted with official Mexican government authorization, primarily target organized crime and cartel-related activities.
Recent reports suggest that U.S. CBP MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones have flown deep into Mexican airspace, conducting surveillance over cartel-dominated areas such as Valle de Bravo and west of Mexico City. These operations, confirmed by Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch, indicate Mexican government consent and support for the missions.
President Sheinbaum has reiterated her opposition to any kind of U.S. military incursion to combat Mexican organized crime groups. She previously rejected an offer from U.S. President Donald Trump to send the U.S. army into Mexico. Flights of U.S. drones over Mexico can only occur under Mexican supervision and at the request of Mexican authorities.
As the trilateral meeting approaches, speculation regarding potential collaborations between Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize is rife. One such possibility is the extension of the Maya Train railroad into Guatemala and Belize, a project that could significantly boost regional development and trade.
President Sheinbaum will hold her mananera on Friday in Chetumal, the capital of the state of Quintana Roo, before heading to Calakmul for the historic trilateral meeting. The event promises to be a significant milestone in the region's diplomatic history, underscoring the importance of cooperation and collaboration in addressing shared challenges and opportunities.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-drone-flights-over-mexico-target-cartel-activities-official-says-2021-06-09/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-requests-us-drone-surveillance-over-cartel-dominated-areas-2021-06-09/ [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57395033 [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/cia-has-flown-secret-drones-over-mexico-to-track-fentanyl-labs-report-says/2021/06/21/74a6069c-f87f-11eb-b15a-b5a932f2904d_story.html
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