Like very few states, and even entire countries, Texas has an essential relationship for Mexico. Adjacent to Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila and Chihuahua, the commercial and human exchange with Texas is extraordinary. On the one hand, the exchange of goods and services between Mexico and Texas amounted to 213 billion dollars in 2019, which is equivalent to 35 times the commercial flow we have with France and eight times with Germany. Commercial activities between Mexico and Texas generate more than 382 thousand jobs in the state, while the Mexican companies established there are responsible for offering more than 20 thousand jobs.
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On the other hand, around 2.4 million Mexican people live in the state. The Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas stand out. Consequently, 11 of our 50 consulates in the United States are in Texas. Following my working visit to California, a state essential to Mexico’s interests, last week I visited four key Texas cities: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Austin. The work agenda combines components that seek to improve care for migrants in the state, regardless of their immigration status, with meetings in the political, cultural, educational, economic and health fields.
Under the current circumstances that SARS-CoV-2 has generated, the health component was essential. In Dallas, on May 5, the consulate’s vaccination center begins operations, which will operate continuously from Monday to Friday. In Austin, I had the pleasure of inaugurating the vaccination center within the consulate, while in Houston I accompanied the immunization journey focused on young beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In addition, in that city I met with doctors and medical students who have assisted Mexican communities against covid-19.
An issue of vital importance for the national security of Mexico and the United States is gun control. In this sense, I held a meeting with different representatives of civil society organizations in favor of the regulation of high-caliber weapons in the state. Although the government of Mexico is respectful of Texas and United States regulations, the international traffic of arms and ammunition into our territory represents a very serious risk to national and regional security, as the president has reiterated. Lopez Obrador and the chancellor Ebrard.
In Austin I spoke with the Secretary of State, Ruth Hughs, and the Chief of the Governor’s Office Greg Abbott, Luis Saenz. At that meeting, I also exchanged views with John Hellerstedt, director of the Department of Health, and Christi Craddick, director of the Railroad Commission, in order to reactivate the dynamism of our common border. I was also grateful for the collaboration to reactivate the export of natural gas to Mexico, after the low temperatures registered earlier this year.
During the working visit I had the opportunity to be accompanied by three excellent holders, the consuls Francisco de la Torre, Alicia kerber Y Pablo Marentes, as well as with members of their teams. I acknowledge and appreciate all your work on behalf of our communities. I returned to Mexico with new ideas and with the commitment to intensify our work for the benefit of Mexicans in Texas and in defense of the interests of our country.
* Lawyer and teacher in public policy. In charge
to lead the SRE’s North American policy
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