Sheinbaum schedules three-way meeting with the heads of Guatemala and Belize, as Monday's morning services recap the discussion.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is set to travel to Guatemala this Friday to meet with President Bernardo Arevalo, marking a significant diplomatic move between the two nations. The meeting will also include the prime minister of Belize, Johnny Bricenio.
Sheinbaum's visit comes amidst hopes for the extension of the Maya Train railroad into Guatemala and Belize, a project that could be a key topic of discussion between the leaders. The extension of this railroad is seen as a potential boost for regional connectivity and economic growth.
In a recent statement, Sheinbaum highlighted that there will be "very interesting issues" to discuss with the two Central American leaders. She also mentioned that there will be announcements about agreements made with the countries on Mexico's southern border on Friday.
While the details of the meeting remain undisclosed, it is clear that border security and cooperation will be high on the agenda. This is particularly relevant given the ongoing challenges posed by transnational organized crime and narcotics trafficking.
In a separate development, it has been reported that U.S. drones are conducting surveillance flights deep over Mexican territory. These flights, which are primarily unarmed variants, are aimed at combating transnational organized crime and narcotics trafficking. The drones operate under bilateral cooperation and with requests from Mexican authorities, such as Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection.
It is important to note that these drones are unarmed and their operations are legal, reflecting a collaborative effort against cartels and shared border security concerns. However, the role of the CIA in these operations is reportedly more covert and specialized in narcotics lab surveillance.
In a show of solidarity, Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico will never put its sovereignty or independence at risk. This stance was evident when she rejected an offer from U.S. President Donald Trump to send the U.S. army into Mexico.
Meanwhile, Mexico's Congress has approved legislation that regulates the activities of foreign agents in Mexico, removes their diplomatic immunity, and allows for their expulsion from the country. This move underscores Mexico's commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and enforcing its laws.
In a related development, Mexico's consul general in Miami is making regular visits to the Alligator Alcatraz facility to assist detained Mexicans. As many as 81 Mexicans have been detained at this immigration detention facility in Florida.
Sheinbaum plans to return to Calakmul after her meeting with President Arevalo, signifying her continued focus on domestic issues and regional cooperation. With these meetings and initiatives, Sheinbaum is shaping Mexico's foreign policy in a way that prioritizes cooperation, sovereignty, and development.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-drone-flights-mexico-deepen-amid-cartel-violence-2021-09-21/ [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/21/world/americas/us-mexico-drone-flights.html [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/us-drone-flights-over-mexico-deepen-amid-cartel-violence/2021/09/21/d3e8a048-1e7a-11ec-b83a-37888e9021e6_story.html [5] https://www.bellingcat.com/news/americas/2021/09/21/us-drone-flights-over-mexico-deepen-amid-cartel-violence/
- travel news: Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is scheduled to travel to Guatemala this Friday, marking a significant diplomatic move between the two nations.
- policy-and-legislation: Recently, Mexico's Congress approved legislation that regulates the activities of foreign agents in Mexico, removing their diplomatic immunity, and allowing for their expulsion from the country.
- general-news: It is reported that U.S. drones are conducting surveillance flights deep over Mexican territory, primarily aiming to combat transnational organized crime and narcotics trafficking.
- culture: Sheinbaum's visit to Guatemala and the meetings with the Central American leaders hold "very interesting issues" for discussion, including the potential extension of the Maya Train railroad into Guatemala and Belize, which could be a key topic of discussion.
