Mexico and the United States begin operation of the Bicentennial Understanding

Mexico and the United States formalized the entry into force of the Bicentennial Understanding, the new vision of security between the two countries, with the installation of five working groups.

At the headquarters of the Mexican chancellery the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Marcelo Ebrard, stressed that there are different types of cooperation in search of an alliance that operates under mutual trust and respect.

“The present day the Bicentennial Understanding is born, it becomes operational, it is the birth certificate and the beginning of operations of a new stage between Mexico and the United States in terms of security, “he declared in a message to the media.

The death certificate of the Merida Initiative had already been issued, today we are issuing the birth certificate of the Bicentennial Understanding. Day one of this Understanding ”, he added.

Ebrard explained that the creation of the agreed groups will be in charge of protecting the people; tackle cross-border crimes; persecute criminal networks; deal with Defense and Navy issues; and there is a Binational Cooperation Committee to comply with the essentials of this Understanding, which is mutual respect, “take into account the agenda of each one and that we do not have disagreements because we are allies,” said the Foreign Minister.

Ken Salazar, Ambassador of the United States in Mexico, reiterated that the alliance is governed by mutual respect within the framework of a “transformative” process of the bilateral relationship.

He considered that immediate action should be taken beyond looking at documents.

“It is an alliance that is being made with mutual respect. Respect for the sovereignty of Mexico, but putting the vision, the resources of the two nations to work in a way in these three groups, are so important to protect our people ”, he pointed out.

The diplomat recalled that the flow of US weapons that arrive in Mexico is the responsibility of the two nations.

We recognize that the weapons are coming from the United States, that is an example of the importance of what they want to do, “he said.

For its part, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, stressed that the Bicentennial understanding it is a route for the pacification of the country.

“This understanding compromises collaboration without conditions, it is in short another instrument that adds to the pacification of the country. We move forward in this new relationship between equals. Together we will build the peace that our nations require, ”he said.