U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar met with government and civil society representatives during a visit to the Ciudad Juarez-El Paso region on February 15.
As the bicentennial of U.S.-Mexico diplomatic relations approaches, Ambassador Salazar met with representatives of the U.S. and Mexican governments, universities, and binational organizations at the historic Chamizal Park in Ciudad Juarez. Mexican and U.S. park representatives committed to exploring options for binational cultural, historic, and artistic collaboration. The U.S. Consulate General will support this dialogue through opportunities for academic exchange, technical assistance, and the sharing of best practices on environmental sustainability and public space management.
To promote cross-border trade and cultural ties in the Texas-New Mexico-Chihuahua region, Ambassador Salazar discussed border infrastructure priorities with U.S. and Mexican federal, state, and local government officials. Attendees committed to innovating and coordinating to improve trade flows and spur economic development.
In a meeting with Chihuahua Governor Maria Eugenia Campos, Ciudad Juarez Mayor Cruz Perez Cuellar, and civil society representatives, Ambassador Salazar discussed progress on the U.S.-Mexico bilateral security agenda through the Mexico-United States Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities. Attendees highlighted the security challenges and opportunities facing Ciudad Juarez and the state of Chihuahua. The Ambassador urged participants to coordinate efforts through local binational conversations to translate ideas into concrete solutions.
Ambassador Salazar concluded his visit touring the border’s only toll-free bridge, the Bridge of the Americas. On a U.S. Customs and Border Protection tour, Ambassador Salazar stressed the crossing’s importance to uniting our binational community and promoting commerce and tourism between the United States and Mexico.
