Ambassador Wayne Meets with Campeche Governor Francisco Ortega Bernes

Ambassador Wayne Meets with Campeche Governor Francisco Ortega Bernes

Mexico City, February 10, 2012 — Ambassador Anthony Wayne met with Governor Francisco Ortega Bernés of Campeche State.  The Ambassador and Governor discussed the many interests shared by the United States and Mexico, from economic prosperity and tourism to the public security challenges both face.  The Ambassador welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the main issues of importance in Campeche.  During the meeting, Governor Ortega and Ambassador Wayne discussed cooperation on state finance, security, and disaster preparedness as well as ways to encourage business, investment, and academic ties between Campeche and the United States.  The Ambassador thanked the Governor for the state’s assistance last fall during Tropical Storm Nate, when 10 persons including four Americans, were missing at sea. The Governor expressed his satisfaction with the participation of 11 Campeche justice system officials in training in the United States, with the cooperation between Campeche and the National Hurricane Center in Miami, and with the growing contacts between the port of Mobile, Alabama and Seybaplaya, Campeche.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Wayne said, “I very much appreciated having the opportunity to meet Governor Ortega, and am happy to have the chance to visit Campeche.  The historic center of Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is beautiful, and I look forward to  exploring ways to promote economic, cultural, and educational ties between the state and the United States.”

The U.S. Embassy and the Consulate in Merida have a longstanding and robust relationship with the people of Campeche.  Last summer, the Secretariat of Culture of Campeche hosted a jazz group sponsored by the Embassy, and USAID has worked for several years with officials in Campeche as part of its municipal financing program.  Several students from Campeche State have received Fulbright-García Robles scholarships to study in the United States.