MEXICO-GUZMAN/USA-TRADE U.S. Homeland Security chief confident Mexican kingpin 'Chapo' Guzman will be caught

Record ID: 134787

  • Title: MEXICO-GUZMAN/USA-TRADE U.S. Homeland Security chief confident Mexican kingpin 'Chapo' Guzman will be caught
  • Date: 16th October 2015
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (OCTOBER 15, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** GENERAL VIEW OF U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, JEH JOHNSON, AND MEXICAN FINANCE MINISTER, LUIS VIDEGARAY, ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF JOHNSON AND VIDEGARAY SIGNING AGREEMENT AT NEWS CONFERENCE JOHNSON AND VIDEGARAY SHAKING HANDS AFTER SIGNING AGREEMENTS GENERAL VIEW OF
  • Embargoed: 31st October 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVABQ5XMZZQBTZQZIQ7APK1IDHH9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson was in Mexico City on Thursday (October 15) to discuss shared security and commercial interests between the two neighbours, during which he told a news conference that he was confident fugitive cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman would eventually be caught following his dramatic jailbreak earlier this year.
    Mexico's most notorious drug lord broke out of a high-security prison in July for the second time, escaping in a tunnel built right under his cell, and heaping embarrassment on President Enrique Pena Nieto.
    The United States has pledged its support to help find the drug lord.
    On the sidelines of a public signing of a memorandum of understanding over a border inspection programme, Johnson said he was confident Guzman will be found.
    "With regard to 'El Chapo' (Guzman), our government, the U.S. government has pledged its support to the Mexican government in the search for him. We continue to pledge that support and I am confident he will be found. I believe he will be found," said the Homeland Security chief.
    At a news conference with Mexico's Finance Minister Luis Videgaray, Johnson signed onto a Cargo Pre-Inspection Programme between the two country's which is expected to streamline the movement of export goods.
    With more than $500 billion in trade in goods and services crossing between Mexico and the United States annually, Videgaray affirmed Mexico's commitment to free and fair global trade.
    "Mexico is a nation open to the world, that believes in globalisation and believes in free trade. And for us this means firstly free trade with our northern neighbour. We export more than 80 percent of exports and for us undoubtedly it is the most important external economy," he said.
    The Cargo Pre-Inspection Programme will first begin operating in Texas' Laredo International Airport and the Mesa de Otay Customs Facility in Baja California. A third site is planned for the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
    Johnson said the programme demonstrates a shared commitment between the U.S. and Mexico to strengthen economic and security ties.
    "This programme and many others like it demonstrate the deep and abiding friendship and collaboration of the United States and Mexico. The economic realities of the 21st century highlight the importance of continuing to work together, sharing both the responsibilities and the opportunities for our economic and security relationship. Thank you," added Johnson.
    Last year, Mexico and the United States signed in the Declaration of Principles Concerning Bilateral Strategic Plan Initiatives, which provided the groundwork for the neighbours to implement future trade, customs and security agreements.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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