Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks at a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, Dec. 8, 2020. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua/IANS)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued the executive order on Thursday authorising state forces to apprehend migrants and return them to the US-Mexico border.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has described as “vulgar” and “backward” a new immigration order issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
“It is an aberration, we do not agree with it. It is extremely vulgar and has no legal basis,” Xinhua news agency quoted Lopez Obrador as saying on Friday.
Abbott issued the executive order on Thursday authorising state forces to apprehend migrants and return them to the US-Mexico border.
Lopez Obrador said the Governor “is not legally allowed to make that decision” because “it has to do with the US federal government”.
He added that Abbott’s statements and actions are framed within the political campaign for state elections in November.
Photo taken on June 27, 2022 shows the scene of an alleged human smuggling mass casualty event in San Antonio, Texas, the United States. (Photo by Nick Wagner/Xinhua/IANS)
“They are looking for sensationalism and yellow journalism, they think that way they will gain sympathy,” the President said.
He also criticised the existence of “anti-migrant campaigns with electoral purposes” in the US, which he described as “immoral” and “politicking”.
Abbott’s authorization followed other decisions he’s made on immigration that have generated controversy between Mexico and the US.
The first Summit of the Americas was held in Miami in 1994, and since then it has been accused of excluding several countries that have political differences with the US…reports Asian Lite News
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said he hopes to reach an agreement with the US to hold the upcoming Summit of the Americas without the exclusion of any regional country.
“We have to unite,” he stressed on Monday.
“Of course we have differences, but agreements can be reached to respect differences, the idiosyncrasy of each people and the sovereignty of each country, and look for what unites us.”
According to Lopez Obrador, the commission organising the event, to be held on June 6-10 in the city of Los Angeles, will visit Mexico in the coming days to address the issue of invitations, Xinhua news agency reported.
In addition, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard will hold a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the subject on Monday.
The first Summit of the Americas was held in Miami in 1994, and since then it has been accused of excluding several countries that have political differences with the US such as Cuba and Venezuela due to US pressure.
Mexico-UAE bilateral trade has witnessed an approximate 38 percent upsurge in the past five years…writes Binsal Abdulkader
Mexico-UAE bilateral trade has witnessed an approximate 38 percent upsurge in the past five years (2016-2020), a senior Mexican official told the Emirates News Agency (WAM), adding that Mexico wants to be a strategic partner for the UAE in agri-food sector.
“The bilateral trade between 2016 and 2020 registered an average annual growth rate of 6.7 percent, from US$511 million in 2016 to US$705.1 million [37.9 percent increase] in 2020,” said Martha Delgado, Mexican Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, who was on an official visit to the UAE recently.
Mexico-UAE bilateral trade grows 38% in 5 years
UAE, 2nd largest trade partner in ME “For Mexico, the UAE is a strategic partner in the Middle East. It was our second largest trading partner in the region in 2020 and 47th partner worldwide,” she said.
The bilateral relations between Mexico and the UAE have experienced significant development in the political, economic, commercial and cultural sectors, the vice minister noted.
“Within Mexico’s foreign economic policy, strengthening the relations with all Arab countries is a priority. In the case of the UAE, Mexico recognises its international importance and economic potential,” she emphasised.
“Bilateral economic relations are stronger and closer than ever. Our participation at Expo 2020 Dubai gave us the opportunity to share thoughts and strengthen our ties. Expo is becoming the epicentre of the global economic recovery since the beginning of the pandemic.”
Potential partnership in agri-food sector “The UAE is recognised as a very important international market and Mexico has the capacity to be a strategic partner for this country in the agri-food sector,” Delgado affirmed.
Mexican agricultural goods have been entering the UAE market smoothly, such as berries, chickpeas, beef, tomatoes, avocados, fresh asparagus, among others, and negotiations are underway to export other agricultural products to the UAE.
“For the UAE, Mexico represents an access to the Latin American and Caribbean region, and for Mexico, the UAE has been a gateway to the Middle East,” she pointed out.
Long history of ties, legal frameworks Mexico and the UAE have a long history of collaboration, and along the years, bilateral legal framework has been enriched by several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs), Delgado noted.
The agreements for promotion and protection of investments, the cooperation between the Mexican National Bank and the Emirates Development Bank, the cooperation between the Mexican Bank of Foreign Trade and the Dubai Economic Council, Air Services Agreement, an agreement to Avoid Double Taxation and Prevent Tax Evasion, as well as an MoU in energy and financial matters, are important ones, she explained.
“Recently, we signed an MoU to implement the Global Logistic Passport between the Mexican Government and DP World. This instrument has the potential to boost the exchange of goods and services worldwide.”
The proposed opening of a trade office in Mexico City of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry would also strengthen bilateral economic and commercial ties, the official affirmed.
Human rights, climate change “The UAE and Mexico have several mutual interests in international arena, and as members of the UN Human Rights Council, we will be able to push a common agenda on human rights,” the Vice Minister said.
“We expect to have an open and enriching dialogue with the representatives from the UAE, when the 50th session of the Human Rights Council begins.”
The UAE has been elected for the third time as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 2022-2024. The UAE has recently established the National Human Rights Institution for better protection of human rights.
Climate Change is also an issue that both countries deem important, as both countries hold two MoUs on cooperation in the energy sector, clean energies and related matters.
“Mexico welcomes the UAE initiative to achieve Net Zero by 2050,” she said.
Visa Exemption to promote tourism In late 2018, the Mexican and UAE governments first signed a diplomatic MoU on mutual visa exemption that envisaged citizens of both countries to be allowed visa-free entry to each other’s country.
In January 2020, the UAE government announced visa-free entry for Mexican nationals, a month after Dubai’s Emirates Airlines made its inaugural flight to Mexico City via Barcelona.
“Tourism can be a catalyst for wellbeing. As you know, Mexico consistently ranks among the top destinations in different types of tourism. A visitor can become an investor, a cultural ambassador, a client for high-level medical services and a resident that wishes to spend their later years in our country,” she said.
The migrant caravan, comprising 2,000 to 3,000 people, is continuing its advance through the southern Mexican state of Chiapas towards Mexico City…reports Asian Lite News
Mexico will deal prudently with the latest migrant caravan with thousands of Central American migrants advancing toward the country’s capital and even the US, Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard said.
“We will act with prudence and respect for human rights …” Ebrard said at a press conference, adding that the Mexican authorities will be careful to avoid any conflict, as there are many children in the caravan, reports Xinhua news agency.
He also reiterated Mexico’s call for a “fundamental solution” to mass migration driven by poverty and violence, and highlighted agreements reached with the United States to address the issues including investment in southern Mexico and Central American countries.
The migrant caravan, comprising 2,000 to 3,000 people, is continuing its advance through the southern Mexican state of Chiapas towards Mexico City, looking forward to regularising their immigration status.
The caravan has travelled more than 25 km so far, with the National Institute of Migration (INM) and Mexican National Guard members accompanying it following a slight confrontation on Saturday that failed to prevent the migrants’ advance.
The two state agencies contained and broke up some other caravans between August and September.
The operations sought to protect the migrants’ rights and prevent them from being exposed to greater dangers, such as kidnappings by criminal gangs, said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Between January and August of this year, the Mexican authorities registered 147,000 undocumented migrants, according to INM figures.
This is the first visit of Jaishankar as the EAM to Mexico during which he participated in the commemorative events of the 200th anniversary of the consolidation of Mexican Independence …reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met North American country’s President Manuel López Obrador and both sides held an open conversation on their priorities and practices.
Tweeting about this meeting, the EAM wrote: Thank President Lopez Obrador of Mexico for receiving me today. Conveyed greetings of PM Narendra Modi. An open conversation on our governance priorities and practices. Great scope for exchange of experiences and best practices.”
This is the first visit of Jaishankar as the EAM to Mexico during which he participated in the commemorative events of the 200th anniversary of the consolidation of Mexican Independence along with other world leaders.
Earlier the EAM, who arrived in Mexico on September 26, held a comprehensive discussion with his Mexican counterpart Ebrard Casaubón.
Both Ministers reviewed their political cooperation, trade and investment, space and scientific potential, cultural exchanges and consular issues.
They also shared perspectives on governance challenges and global narratives.
During his three-day visit S Jaishankar had, on the sidelines of Mexico’s independence day celebrations in Mexico City, had meetings with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Shahariar Alam, Nepal Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Bala.
Talking about his meeting with the Singaporean Foreign Minister, Jaishankar tweeted:
“A comfortable conversation with an old friend. Discussing Indo-Pacific developments with FM @VivianBala of Singapore. Sharing thoughts on overcoming the Covid challenge.”
The EAM had also had a meeting with Serbia’s First Lady Tamara Vučić and that country’s Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković, expressed his happiness to know that the First Lady is an enthusiastic and ardent practitioner of Yoga. (India News Network)
The proposal came during a visit to Mexico by a US delegation led by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas…reports Asian Lite News
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that he has extended an invitation to his US counterpart Joe Biden to visit Mexico at the end of September.
“There is that possibility,” Lopez Obrador told journalists during a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Wednesday.
“We invited him to visit Mexico and have a meeting,” added the Mexican president.
The proposal came during a visit to Mexico by a US delegation led by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, among other officials.
The invitation also followed Lopez Obrador’s telephone conversation with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday.
Lopez Obrador said his government is seeking a joint comprehensive plan with the US to spur economic growth in North America and the rest of the region.
Representatives of Mexico and the US agreed to resume High Level Economic Dialogue in September, including social aid in Central America.
“We have good relations. We are calling for the opening of the border. They (the US) are on the same page, they agree, however there was a rise in infections from the new Delta variant, so it is being analyzed,” said Lopez Obrador.
Mexico and the US agreed in March 2020 to restrict border crossings to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The measure has been extended on a monthly basis, banning crossings for tourism or leisure travel but allowing crossings for essential reasons, such as work, study and medical care, and trade in goods.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Nov. 17, 2018 shows the border fence that divides the U.S. and Mexico in San Diego, California, the United States. Officers of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have tightened preparations at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, California, for the arrival of massive caravans of Central American migrants. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong/IANS)
Former US President Donald Trump had diverted billions in defence and military construction funds toward building the wall. Now President Biden is using some funding to counter environmental damage from the wall’s construction, reports Asian Lite News.
US President Joe Biden is cancelling projects to build a wall along the southern border using diverted defence funds and will use some funding to counter environmental damage from the wall’s construction.
Then-President Donald Trump had diverted billions in defence and military construction funds toward building the wall, using emergency powers after Congress refused to fully fund the project directly, according to The Hill.
“Consistent with the President’s Proclamation terminating the redirection of funds for border wall, no more money will be diverted from other purposes to building a border wall,” a Biden administration official said on Friday (local time).
“Today, the Department of Defense will begin cancelling all wall projects using the diverted funds, and will take steps to return remaining unobligated military construction funds to their appropriated purpose as permitted by law.”
A Defense Department spokesperson said the funds would be returned to accounts designated for “schools for military children, overseas military construction projects in partner nations, and the National Guard and Reserve equipment account,” but added that the department was reviewing projects to determine priorities.
Upon entering office, Biden canceled the state of emergency the former President had declared along the southern border and paused construction on the wall in order to conduct a review, though the 60 day period for the review’s completion has long passed.
Photo shows the border fence that divides the U.S. and Mexico in San Diego, California, the United States. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong/IANS)
Republicans in Congress have accused Biden of illegally halting congressionally approved funds, and the Government Accountability Office is preparing a report on whether the pause was legal under the Impoundment Control Act.
The Biden administration said on Friday it would use some of the USD 1.4 billion appropriated for constructing the wall towards repairing environmental damage from its construction, such as flood barriers in the Rio Grande Valley and soil erosion in San Diego.
Democrats, on the other hand, welcomed the move. “President Biden promised to not build one more foot of border wall under his watch, and I welcome this step by his Administration to begin repairing the damage caused by border wall construction,” said Representative Raul Girjalva who represents a border district in the US State of Arizona.
United States President Joe Biden
“The border wall has done nothing but militarize border communities, destroy precious environmental habitats, and desecrate Native American sacred sites. After such abuses of power, cancelling the contracts and repairing the environmental damage is the least we can do.”
According to The Hill, the issue of funding the wall, one the most symbolic policies of the Trump era, was a regular flashpoint between Democrats and Republicans over the past four years. Trump would regularly request north of USD 5 billion a year for the wall, much to the chagrin of Democrats.
In order to pass spending bills, which require 60 votes in the Senate, Democrats and Republicans typically compromised on a significantly lower figure, replete with caveats over what could be built or reinforced with the funds.
Former United States President Donald Trump (Source IANS)
In late 2018, however, Trump threatened to veto spending bills over lack of wall funding, leading to a 35-day government shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history, according to The Hill.
When it was over, he declared a state of emergency and announced he would redirect the defense funds and other sources of government money toward building the wall. Democrats and outside groups have challenged the diversion of military funds toward the wall in court with mixed success. (ANI)
A health worker looks at a vial of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination centre
The emergency use of COVAXIN comes as the Covid-19 cases in Mexico have crossed the 22-lakh mark. The death toll has crossed the 2-lakh mark as on Wednesday…reports Asian Lite News
In a big boost for India’s Covid-19 vaccine, Mexico has authorized the emergency use of COVAXIN, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday.
”Very timely decision by COFEPRIS to authorize the emergency use of the COVAXIN vaccine manufactured in India. The options for vaccination against COVID-19 in Mexico are expanding!!!,” Ebrard said on Twitter.
The Covaxin has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and is one of the two vaccines currently being employed in India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive.
The interim results from the vaccine manufacturer’s late stage trials shows its Covid-19 vaccine to be about 81 percent more effective in preventing illness from coronavirus.
The emergency use of COVAXIN comes as the Covid-19 cases in Mexico have crossed the 22-lakh mark. The death toll has crossed the 2-lakh mark as on Wednesday.
India has also assisted Mexico in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic by supplying more than 8.7 lakh doses of Covishield.
After receiving the Made-in-India Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines, the Mexico government had thanked India for its generosity and support during the tough times.
Thanking India for sending the vaccines, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon had said, “I would like to thank the government of India. And why do I say this? India has 1,300 million inhabitants and requires vaccines. However, the government gave its consent for 870,000 to be sent to Mexico today and we will never forget that.”
Secretary, Directive Board of Congress, Guanajuato State, Veronica Valadez had compared the India-made vaccines with “holy water”.
“Mexicans have had a difficult year fighting the coronavirus. Despite this, there are flashes of hope and brotherhood that are holy water in moments of fire. I thank the government of India, the Embassy of India in Mexico and the Tagore Cultural Center for sending vaccines for this pandemic. Their great heart lives in ours. Thanks a lot,” she had said.
