FOREIGN SECRETARY JOSE ANTONIO MEADE INSPECTS THE MEXICO-GUATEMALA BORDER

Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade toured sections of the Mexico-Guatemala border to assess the situation there; he was accompanied by Aristótles Núñez Sánchez, Head of the Tax Administration Service (SAT). In Comitán, Chiapas, he met with Governor Manuel Velasco.

During his tour of the border, the Foreign Secretary stressed the strategic importance that Mexico gives to its southern border. The aim of the direct approach being taken vis-à-vis the border is to make an accurate diagnosis of the current social and economic climate, the condition of the infrastructure, and the presence of officials at the various crossing points.

On this tour, several opportunities for making the border more prosperous and secure were found, which is one of the goals of President Peña Nieto’s administration in this region.

Mexico's border with Guatemala is about 1,000 kilometers long, with eight formal border crossings that are used by about 1.8 million people each year.

Foreign Secretary Meade inspected several parts of the border on the ground and from the air, from Comitan to where the Suchiate River flows into the Pacific Ocean.