SEATTLE - After days of political tension, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar praised the U.S. and Mexico's cooperation in terms of their battle against criminal organized groups, saying the efforts made by both governments have contributed in slowing down the spread of fentanyl as well as helped dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel.
But despite the ambassador's words, it has not been all roses between Mexico and the U.S. in recent times. Ever since cartel turf wars erupted in northern Mexico due to the capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in American soil, both countries have been in constant communication about how to deal with the wave of violence seen in Sinaloa.
Although most dialogues have been positive, U.S. officials have rubbed its Mexican counterparts the wrong way. Before Salazar's positive comments, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico had taken a few jabs at former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's (AMLO) security policy, labelling it "a failure" and accusing him of rejecting help from the U.S.
Amid the back and forth, AMLO's successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, responded to Salazar arguing that relations between both countries going forward "cannot be based on subordination."
"There must be high-level dialogue that allows us to coordinate on issues important to both countries; we are also trade partners," said Sheinbaum as reported by La Opinión. "But subordination, no, that does not exist. Mexico is a free, independent, and sovereign country; we coordinate, we work together, but it can't be based on subordination," Sheinbaum stated.
Salazar, however, changed his discourse about the cooperation between both countries during an event in Tijuana as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico recognized the progress made so far in combating criminal groups. He did however reveal that both countries will continue to face challenges in the near future.
Those challenges, Salazar said, include the topic of immigration. The diplomat told attendees that despite Donald Trump's recent electoral win, both the Sheinbaum and Biden administrations are working closely to reduce the flow of migrants heading towards the U.S.-Mexico border.
Apart from touching on immigration, Salazar said he was happy about how far the U.S.'s and Mexico's economic relationship had progressed, to the point of making it the top trade partnership in the world.
He also revealed that he has a good relationship with high-ranked Mexican officials, including former President López Obrador. "The relationship I have maintained with the administrations, governors, mayors and with the former and current Presidents has been a very positive experience," Salazar said.
Appointed as ambassador in 2021, Salazar has been a popular figure in the bilateral diplomacy between both countries. But his term as ambassador will come to an end in January, when Donald Trump officially takes office on Jan. 20.
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