Pompeo urged to reunite migrant families
Secretary visits Mexico to meet with its leaders
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Friday urged a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to quickly reunite migrant families separated at the border.
Peña Nieto said in a statement that he called for “a permanent alternative that prioritizes the well-being and rights of minors.”
Pompeo visited Mexico with Cabinet-level officials to meet with both Peña Nieto and president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador after a sea-change election that could offer a chance for the neighbors to repair strained relations.
Discussions were expected to address ways to combat transnational criminal organizations, the U.S. opioid epidemic and trade tensions. But irregular migration across Mexico’s northern border into the United States loomed large during the meetings.
“The United States is committed to making measurable progress to ensure security on both sides of that border,” Pompeo told journalists.
White House adviser Jared Kushner accompanied Pompeo, as well as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. They met first with Peña Nieto and then with the president-elect.
Pompeo acknowledged strains in U.s.-mexico relations when he greet- ed Lopez Obrador, but pledged that the Trump administration values the bilateral ties.
“We know there have been bumps in the road between our two countries, but President Trump is determined to make the relationship between our peoples better and stronger,” Pompeo said. “We wanted to come down here to let you know that President Trump cares deeply for the success of the relationship between our two countries. Our presence here today signals that to you.”
Marcelo Ebrard, who is slated to be the next Mexican top diplomat, described the meeting between Pompeo and the president-elect as “frank, respectful and cordial.” They shared with the U.S. delegation proposals for cooperation in commerce, development, security and migration.