Important Steps Forward for the Merida Initiative
May 16, 2008 - Garza: “The U.S. has a responsibility to bolster Mexico’s efforts to strike hard at the drug cartels, just as we persevere in our fight against drug traffickers and drug addiction in the United States. I continue to urge the House and Senate to move forward in approving it.” (complete text)
Peace Officers’ Memorial Day
May 15, 2008 - Garza: “Mexico has lost too many heroes in the fight against criminals
and drug cartels. Today, we are flying the flag at half mast
in their honor, and in honor of their colleagues who uphold
law and order in the United States and around the world. These
brave men and women inspire us by their sacrifice and commitment
to sustain free, peaceful and democratic societies.” (complete
text)
Condolences and Outrage at Death of Edgar Millan Gomez
May 8, 2008 - Garza: “Over the past four days in Washington, I have spoken
with President Bush, members of Congress, Senators and officials
in the executive branch, sharing personally with the leadership
of both parties the countless stories of bravery by Mexican
officials against organized crime. I urged our elected officials
to approve the Merida Initiative, which I believe is a critical
element for enhancing our joint fight against these criminals.” (complete
text)
Ambassador Garza Expresses his Condolences to the Family
of Roberto Velasco Bravo
May 2, 2008 - Garza: “I am saddened by the brutal murder
last night of Mr. Roberto Velasco Bravo, Director of Investigations for
the Sensitive Investigations Unit of the Federal Police (SSP).... On behalf of the U.S. Mission in Mexico, I extend my deepest
condolences to Mr. Velasco’s family, colleagues, and friends... I sincerely hope the perpetrators of this heinous crime will swiftly be
arrested and brought to justice.” (complete
text)
State Department Issues Updated Travel Alert
April 14, 2008 - Garza: “Mexico remains an important tourist
destination for U.S. citizens, with over twelve million
Americans visiting Mexico each year for business, vacation,
or to visit family and friends. It is important that these
visitors have accurate and current information to make wise
decisions in order to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
For this reason, the State Department has revised and reissued
a Travel Alert for Mexico to provide travelers with up-to-date
information.” (complete
text)
U.S. Fugitive Cesar Laurean Arrested by Mexican Authorities
April 10, 2008 - Garza: “Strong cooperation between Mexican and U.S. authorities increasingly ensures that those who commit crimes in either country will ultimately face capture and prosecution no matter where they might try to hide.”
(complete text)
Visit to Ciudad Juarez
April 4, 2008 - Garza: “We support President Calderon’s initiative and
also take this criminal activity seriously. Narco-violence
and crime affects the lives of citizens on both sides of our
shared border, and we must be resolute in going after these
menaces to our society and way of life. Today I met with U.S. government law enforcement agents
and others knowledgeable about the situation in Ciudad Juarez.”
(complete text)
Groundbreaking Ceremony in Tijuana: Excerpts of Remarks
April 3, 2008 - Garza: “The construction of this new Consulate
is a sign of just how important the bilateral relationship
is. We are constructing this building for the future, a
common future, that we share each day more, something we
have done for centuries and will continue doing forever.”
(complete text)
Homeland
Security and State Departments Announce WHTI Land and Sea
Final Rule
March 27, 2008 - The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security
(DHS) and of State (DOS) announced today the final rule for
the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative (WHTI); it requires travelers to present a passport
or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and
identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. (complete text)
Gustavo Rivera Martinez Arrest Strikes at Arellano Cartel
March 12, 2008 - Garza: “This most recent
arrest demonstrates Calderon’s continuing commitment to ensure
his country is protected from the criminal elements that seek
to undermine security and public safety on both sides of the
border. The United States shares this commitment and stands
with Calderon and the Mexican people in this critical fight.”
(complete text)
Amb. Garza speaks at the launch of the 'Take it to Heart' program at the Carso Institute
March 11, 2008 - Garza: “Early Detection Is the Difference between Watching Your
Children Grow up or Having a Life Cut Short. ‘Take It to Heart’
Can Help Make that Difference.”
(complete text)
First Lady Laura Bush in Mexico to Launch Breast Cancer
Awareness Initiative
March 5, 2008 - “We have been working with our Mexican partners to create
an effective program since the First Lady announced, in July
2007, that Mexico would be part of the Partnership for Breast
Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas during the White
House Conference on the Americas.... It is a great honor to have Mrs. Bush personally take part
in our launch of the Partnership in Mexico.”
(complete text)
Ambassador Garza Speaks at the American Chamber of Commerce
on the U.S.-Mexico Relationship
February 25, 2008 - “There are challenges ahead, but the United States and Mexico
are working hard to create a safer, more competitive environment.
By continuing to ask the tough, strategic questions about
where we are headed, our leaders can do what is necessary
to make North America the most democratic, safe, and prosperous
continent on Earth.”
(complete text)
Cooperation on the National Infrastructure Program Means
Opportunity for U.S. and Mexican Business
February 14, 2008 - Garza: “From February 26 to 28,
the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is coordinating
the U.S. and Mexico: Building Partnerships in Infrastructure
Conference. We are hosting this conference in Mexico City
to give an opportunity to American companies to find partners
in Mexico as part of President Calderon’s visionary National
Infrastructure Program.”
(complete text)
Ambassador Garza Promotes Travel to the U.S. at the Expo
Vacaciones Tourism Fair
February 12, 2008 - “Expo Vacaciones gives tourism professionals
the latest information on travel destinations in the United
States.... But tourism also represents a unique medium for
people-to-people exchange, improving the ties of friendship
and common values that exist between our countries.”
(complete text)
Special Events during February “Prosperity Month”
February 6, 2008 - Garza: “Prosperity is... creating opportunities
for citizens, working for a secure environment, providing
full employment, and assisting those only marginally involved
in the economic life of their country to participate fully.... February is ‘Prosperity Month’ and during this period
the U.S. Embassy will be involved in a variety of activities
to meet these goals on both sides of the border.”
(complete text)
President
Bush and President Calderon Exchange Views on a Wide Range
of Issues
February 5, 2008 - Garza: “What is obvious to me is that
both our Presidents have a clear sense of what must be done
in order to address the extraordinarily complex issues facing
our two countries at this time. Without a doubt, they are
both devoted to advancing our partnership at every level,
to ensure the security and enhance the prosperity of both
of our peoples.”
(complete text)
U.S.
Embassy Accepting Applications for New Passport Card
January 31, 2008 - Garza: “I am pleased to announce that
the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico will begin processing
applications February 1 for the new Passport Card. I was
first in line to apply for this card, which can be used
for travel across land borders into the U.S.”
(complete text)
The State of the Union – Forward Looking and Strong
January 28, 2008 - Garza: “President Bush announced that
the next North American Leaders’ Summit will be held in
the great city of New Orleans this year, where he will undoubtedly
have the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Merida
Initiative with President Felipe Calderon and the need to
build upon our already strong partnership in order to stem
the rising tide of narco-related violence on both sides
of our border.”
(complete text)
Ambassador Garza Congratulates Mexico on Capture of a Top
Sinaloa Cartel Narcotrafficker
January 21, 2008 - “When Mexico takes dangerous criminals like Beltran Leyva
and his crew off the streets, the people of the United States
also benefit. Our continued commitment to working with our
Mexican government and law enforcement partners in the battle
against these criminals is stronger than ever, and together
we will succeed in taking our streets and communities back
for the citizens of both our nations.”
(complete text)
Our Continued Efforts Will Deny
Firearms to Criminal Organizations and Reduce Gun Violence
January 16, 2008 - “Today I am announcing that the U.S.
government is increasing its ongoing efforts to stem the
illegal flow of firearms to Mexico, to deprive drug trafficking
organizations of firearms and to reduce gun-related violence
on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.”
(complete text)
