Guest Column
U.S. and Mexico work to increase security and prosperity
Border cooperation
By Luis Cabrera and David C. Stewart
March 22, 2006
Having been immersed in a process of economic integration for over 10 years, the United States, Mexico and Canada understand the importance of improving the quality of life of our societies, increasing the competitiveness of our economies and drawing our political connections ever closer.
This is truly the case along the U.S.-Mexico border. After the deplorable events of September, 11, 2001, border security and, more broadly, regional security are of special importance on the U.S.-Mexico agenda.
As partners in the fight against terrorism and international organized crime, the United States and Mexico see binational cooperation as the key to protecting our societies, increasing the efficiency of our border operations and taking advantage of the benefits of the free flow of goods and people.
Without diminishing the challenges our two countries face or minimizing the seriousness of the violence that has wracked our border communities recently, Mexico and the United States have reached a level of unprecedented cooperation on border security.
The San Diego-Tijuana region, with 6 million inhabitants, is the largest population center along the entire 3,000 kilometer U.S.-Mexican border. More than 150,000 people cross daily through the San Ysidro port of entry, the busiest land border crossing in the world. The Otay Mesa cargo port of entry is the third most important for trade between the two countries, and ranks second in the number of cargo truck crossings. These figures show a huge, daily border relationship of enormous complexity. No resident of the region can conceive of his or her future and well-being without taking into account this growing interdependence.
Focusing our efforts on building a modern border, the United States and Mexico established a Border Alliance in 2002 that specifies 22 actions to reduce the dangers of illicit trafficking in people and drugs, and guarantees the speedy and efficient flow of goods and people. Even more ambitious, the United States, Mexico and Canada established the North American Security and Prosperity Partnership in 2005. This framework of cooperation deepens the relationship established by the North American Free Trade Agreement, recognizes the connection between security requirements and economic competitiveness in the region and emphasizes a new sense of a regional closeness between our countries.
In this context, and based on the recognition of our shared responsibilities, the secretaries of governance and public security of Mexico, Carlos Abascal and Eduardo Medina-Mora, and of homeland security of the United States, Michael Chertoff, outlined a joint action plan on March 3 to combat border violence and increase public security.
To prevent any criminal from taking advantage of the existence of different jurisdictions, and so that no one – regardless of their migratory status – becomes the victim of criminal violence, this action plan establishes specific task forces, various preventative actions and a high-level point of contact in the American and Mexican governments for implementation of the action plan.
Day-to-day cooperation between the United States and Mexico is excellent. Through the constant exchange of information, vigorous diplomatic dialogue and the use of tools such as the border liaison mechanisms, the two nations work together to address ongoing problems along the border, and to prevent future difficulties.
In January 2005, the Mexican consul general in San Diego and the U.S. consul general in Tijuana restructured the border liaison mechanisms in response to new realities and changing goals. There are four committees, each with its own working groups, each addressing common problems and seeking common solutions in the areas of public safety; infrastructure and ports of entry; immigration and consular affairs; and the environment and natural resources. These working groups have held 61 meetings between January 2005, and February 2006, in which officials from both countries resolve matters of interest to the daily lives of communities on both sides of the border.
The border between the United States and Mexico is the busiest in the world, and it is the source and foundation of our solid bilateral relation. The growth of our economies, and the welfare of our people, depend on the border working well.
While the binational efforts that we mention here are merely a brief listing of the intense work that is carried out on a daily basis by both our countries, they are a sign that both our federal and local governments are working closely to turn our shared border into one of the most modern, secure and prosperous in the world.
The issue of most immediate concern to border residents is the violence from organized crime associated with narcotrafficking and smuggling of people. There is a clear imperative for efficient cross-border cooperation to confront the transnational crime associated with these two matters.
- The action plan signed on March 3 by Secretaries Abascal, Medina-Mora and Chertoff will find fertile ground in the San Diego-Tijuana border liaison mechanism. The strong regional relationships forged by the border liaison mechanism give law enforcement on both sides of the border mechanisms to increase public safety and combat violence. The objective is clear and will be reached only through persistence and commitment to justice: the border must never be an excuse for impunity.
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Cabrera
is consul general of Mexico in San Diego. Stewart is U.S. consul general
in Tijuana.
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