Kelly Visits Mexico to Deepen Arizona-Mexico Ties, Meet with Key Mexican Officials Ahead of Presidential Transfer of Power
Kelly traveled to the southern country as part of a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation
Kelly met with President López Obrador and President-Elect Sheinbaum
This week, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly completed a visit to Mexico with a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, including Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4), to deepen Arizona-Mexico ties and discuss cooperation on regional migration, ports of entry, security, and trade.
Kelly and the delegation met with outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum—who will be sworn-in as Mexico’s first female president on October 1st—, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alicia Bárcena, the Minister of Finance and Public Credit Rogelio Ramírez de la O, and other Mexican dignitaries. The legislators also attended a reception with Mexican business leaders hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar.
“At a moment of change in Mexico as they prepare to inaugurate their first woman president, this visit was valuable to deepen cooperation on issues like migration, security, trade, and economic development that are critically intertwined with the United States,” said Kelly. “Mexico is one of our most important economic partners, and we see it every day in Arizona with cross-border commerce and travel along our ports of entry that we are working to upgrade. I look forward to partnering with President-elect Sheinbaum and her cabinet to address our shared challenges as we continue strengthening the historic relationship between both of our nations.”
On Monday, Kelly and the delegation held a meeting with President López Obrador to discuss regional coordination on economic projects, U.S.-Mexico engagement to address migration, improving security in the region, and efforts to address drug trafficking along the border, particularly of fentanyl. Ambassador Salazar and Secretary Bárcena were part of the conversation.
On Tuesday, Kelly and the group spoke to President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum about measures to address migration and security along the countries’ shared border. Kelly took the opportunity to raise the importance of both countries working together to strengthen port infrastructure in Arizona, which Kelly funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Sen. Kelly and Rep. Stanton stand with President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum after they presented her
with a book by Arizona’s poet laureate Alberto Ríos
That same day, the delegation visited a Catholic-run migrant shelter in Mexico City that serves families, women, and minors. In talking to staff, Kelly heard about the aid provided to migrants and asylum seekers and learned more about changes in the current migration flow at the shelter.
In addition to Kelly, the delegation included Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Todd Young (R-IN), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA), as well as Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-4), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4) and Juan Vargas (D-CA-51).
