Mexico

March 24, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today Deputy Attorney General David Ogden announced increased efforts and reallocation of DOJ personnel to combat Mexican drug cartels in the United States and to help Mexican law enforcement battle cartels in their own country. Deputy Attorney General Ogden was joined in announcing a comprehensive response to the situation on the Southwest border by Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano and Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg.    » read more »

Nearly $12 Million for Refuge Acquisitions Benefiting Migratory Waterfowl

March 11, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission has approved more than $26 million in grants to protect and restore more than 200,000 acres of wetland areas and wildlife habitat in the United States and Mexico.

The commission awarded the grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). They also approved $11.5 million in Federal Duck Stamp funds to add more than 3,500 wetland acres to seven units of the National Wildlife Refuge System.    » read more »

Public Citizen Argues That Delays and Denials Violate Freedom of Information Act

March 11, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal officials are illegally withholding documents that would allow the public to determine the full impact of the 700 miles of fence being built along the Texas-Mexico border, Public Citizen argued in a suit filed in U.S. district court today on behalf of a member of the University of Texas (UT) Working Group on Human Rights and the Border Wall.    » read more »

Phoenix, Arizona -- March 5, 2009 -- When college students get out for Spring break this year they will probably head to the Colorado River. Unlike past years when thousands of students went to Mexico, the State Parks rangers are predicting those students will be heading to the beaches along the Colorado due to warnings from the State Department. Arizona's universities are also encouraging students to avoid Mexico this year due to crime in Mexico, so the festivities will probably be shifted over to the Colorado River.    » read more »

“Operation Xcellerator” Takes 23 Tons of Narcotics off America’s Streets and Seizes More Than $59 Million in Drug Money

February 25, 2009 -- WASHINGTON —Today, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. announced the arrest of more than 750 individuals on narcotics-related charges and the seizure of more than 23 tons of narcotics as part of a 21-month multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as “Operation Xcellerator.” The Attorney General was joined in announcing the current results of Operation Xcellerator by DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart.    » read more »

Statement of Lena Pons, Policy Analyst, Public Citizen

In announcing that it would extend its cross-border trucking pilot project for two more years, the Bush administration continues to flout Congress at the expense of highway safety. This is the latest of many moves by the administration to give Mexico-domiciled carriers operating authority in the United States beyond a limited border zone despite lawmakers’ clear instructions to the contrary.    » read more »

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Announces Results from Border Governor Meetings with Mexican President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa

May 29, 2008 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson reported results from the Border Governor’s meetings with Mexican President Calderón Hinojosa and Mexican federal authorities today. Governor Richardson also met privately with the Mexican President.

US-Mexico border fence, Tijuana: Photo by Nathan Gibbs (CC)    » read more »

21 May 2008 -- In Mexico, President Felipe Calderon continues his fight against powerful drug cartels as the death count mounts. More than 1,300 people have died this year in Mexico in violence connected to the illicit drug trade. In recent weeks some high-ranking police officials have been targets of drug gangs, leading some analysts to wonder whether the Mexican government or the criminal gangs will win the fight.

Mexican police: Photo by Ese Oso/Chris (CC)    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- SANTA FE - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s office this afternoon released the following statement in regard to the renewed drug-related violence occurring in Mexico close to the border with New Mexico.

"Governor Richardson is deeply concerned by the violence in Mexico and has directed all New Mexico public safety officials to be vigilant to ensure the problems don't spread into the United States,” said Pahl Shipley, spokesman for the Governor. “The Governor supports the strong measures being taken by President Calderon and Governor Baeza and believes those efforts will ultimately be successful."    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Miley Gonzalez announced that Mexico has reopened its border to U.S. cattle, paving the way for a cattle crossing Wednesday evening at Santa Teresa. This is the first cattle export to Mexico since many countries banned U.S. beef and beef products in 2003 as a result of Mad Cow Disease in the Pacific Northwest.

New Mexico cattle ranch: Photo by katiew (CC)    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- CHIHUAHUA CITY - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson traveled to Mexico today to deal with a number of economic development, tourism, border health, education and security issues. Tourism Secretary Mike Cerletti, Economic Development Secretary Mondragon, Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil and State Police Chief Faron Segotta accompanied the Governor.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: Photo by Mike Disharoon (CC)

Governor Richardson met with the Governor of Chihuahua, Jose Reyes Baeza to sign 4 Memos of Understanding between the State of New Mexico and the State of Chihuahua.

A brief description of each MOU follows:    » read more »

May 5, 2008 -- After announcing the new Spanish-language page of his website during a press conference in Arizona this morning, John McCain once again tried to have it both ways on the immigration reform debate, demonstrating yet again that he's not able to lead his own Party, much less the country.

John McCain = 3rd Bush term sign: Photo by Matt Ortega (CC)    » read more »

April 21, 2008 -- New Orleans, Louisiana -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you very much. We've had a very long and very good discussion on a variety of issues. U.S. and Mexican relations are very important. And sometimes we in America take those relations for granted, but we share a large border, we share the same values, we've got people on both sides of the border, we've got friends and family members. And it is fitting that you and I have this kind of conversation.

George W. Bush and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon: White House photo by Chris Greenberg    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- SANTA FE - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson sent a letter to President George W. Bush today urging him to extend Operation Jump Start, the National Guard deployment along the US-Mexico Border. Operation Jump Start is scheduled to end along the New Mexico border on June 15, 2008.

A National Guard entry identification team watches the U.S. border near Columbus, NM: The National Guard is helping the Border Patrol secure the nation's southern border in support of Operation Jump Start. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jim Greenhill    » read more »

Microsoft collaborates with strong local and regional partners to expand educational initiatives to reach underserved people in Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Brazil

MIAMI, April 3, 2008 — At the Government Leaders Forum—Americas in Miami today, Microsoft Corp. announced new and expanded partnerships that will play a strong role in transforming education and creating economic opportunity in Latin America.    » read more »