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Mexico City, September 22, 2006 -- Ambassador Antonio O. Garza, Jr. visited Ciudad Juarez today, meeting with Chihuahua Governor Reyes Baeza, to discuss border violence and crime and to inaugurate two bilateral projects.
During his visit, the Ambassador made reference to his recent comments regarding the increase in violence in Mexico, especially along the border. Garza noted, “Crime in the U.S.-Mexico border region is a shared concern and responsibility of both our countries. The United States and Mexico are working to improve border security and law enforcement efforts- but as I have said very recently, much more must be done . . . Uniting forces between our two countries is crucial in sending a clear message to all criminals- drug traffickers, murderers and sexual exploiters of women and children- that we will not tolerate violence on either side of the border.”
The Ambassador added that “Just yesterday, in Laredo, our Mission sent a large number of high-level U.S. officials from a broad range of U.S. federal law enforcement and policy agencies to meet with their Mexican counterparts to make progress on ending the cycle of violence that currently plagues our communities. We sent this delegation because we viewed the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen greatly the cooperation that already exists between law enforcement in both our countries.”
“During the meeting, we asked our Mexican colleagues for several immediate responses to the recent upsurge in violence in our border region, including the return of federal forces to Nuevo Laredo and action on several arrest requests that our government has made. We also offered every possible support to Mexico to help apprehend those who murder law enforcement, judicial or investigative officers here because of their efforts to enforce the law in Mexico.”
While the Ambassador was in Ciudad Juarez, he, along with Governor Reyes Baeza and Attorney General Patricia Gonzalez, inaugurated a new forensic laboratory in Ciudad Juarez, which will allow professional investigators to obtain and provide prosecutors with more and better scientific evidence to apprehend criminals and bring them to justice.
At the ceremony, Garza said, “I am very pleased to be here today to witness another success by the State Government of Chihuahua in implementing a new criminal justice system that is transparent and fair, that promotes human rights, and that provides assistance to victims of crime while effectively prosecuting criminals along the border and throughout the state.”
The Ambassador, Governor Reyes Baeza and Ciudad Juarez Mayor Murguia Lardizabal also inaugurated the bilateral “ Watergy Project” which will promote water and energy efficiency to help Chihuahua communities improve sustainable water resources, energy, and water management programs.
Garza said, “Along our shared border we are developing collaborative efforts. The U.S. Government, through its U.S. Agency for International Development, has invested over $70 million dollars to date through diverse projects that improve management of the natural resources that many people in Mexico depend on for water, recreation, and often their livelihoods. The Watergy Project brings innovative solutions that save both water and electricity, reducing costs while providing more water for municipalities. It also links private companies that provide a wide range of services with municipalities that need new ideas, equipment and training to better serve their clients.”
The Ambassador also visited an exhibit of Mexican modern art at the El Paso Museum of Art which opened last Sunday for a limited time. The art was gathered from various collectors throughout Mexico and includes several works by world-famous artist Jose Cisneros.
Also in El Paso, Ambassador Garza visited the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), which supports various U.S. law enforcement agencies through analysis and intelligence information on illicit drug and criminal organizations. The Ambassador toured the facilities along with the Center's director, James S. Mavromatis, who briefed him on several ongoing projects to study border crime.
Ambassador Garza previously visited Ciudad Juarez August 14. See press release
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