- Title: Blinken meets Mexican FM for talks to reduce 'unprecedented migrant surge'
- Date: 19th January 2024
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JANUARY 19, 2024) (STATE TV) MEETING BETWEEN U.S. DELEGATION WITH SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN AND MEXICAN DELEGATION WITH MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALICIA BARCENA (SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN, SAYING: "I think we've made great progress just in the space of the three weeks since that meeting. And we look forward to reviewing that today, as well as looking at additional steps that we can take together to advance the goal that we both share of reducing the unprecedented irregular migration surge." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN, SAYING: "Also, since our last meeting, I think a very significant development in President (Bernardo) Arevalo being inaugurated in Guatemala. This opens an important new area for cooperation on migration between our three countries, and we will continue to work together more broadly to develop regional solutions to the historic challenge that we face. But in all of this, our partnership, our work together could not be more valuable, more important. And we deeply appreciate it. So, Alicia (Barcena) welcome." DELEGATIONS DURING MEETING WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALICIA BARCENA, SAYING: "It was a meeting where we were able to confirm once again the very cordial relations that exist between the United States and Mexico. And not just on the issue of the movement of people that has brought us here today, but also on many other issues, security, the economy, commerce. We have such a dynamic relationship and above all else I think we have managed to establish clear mechanisms, of frank exchanges between us." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALICIA BARCENA, SAYING: "We, Mexico, we have the intention of helping, of supporting on this great task, this great battle that we are all going through, and that is the volume of movement of people. It is not just a problem for our region. The whole world is going through a crisis regarding this. That is why we want to take the path of Robert Frost (U.S. poet), the road not taken." WHITE FLASH DELEGATIONS DURING MEETING
- Embargoed: 2nd February 2024 18:06
- Keywords: Barcena Blinken Mexico US border immigration migrants
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- Country: US
- Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,North America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001380219012024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena on Friday (January 19), for talks to reduce an "unprecedented migrant surge" at the shared border between both countries.
Friday's meeting follows previous talks in late December which Blinken said had seen "great progress".
Last year, record numbers of migrants attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, which for many was the culmination of a long journey across the continent.
More than half a million migrants - double the previous year's record - crossed the dangerous Darien Gap from South America into Central America, many fleeing poverty, crime and conflict and hoping to gain entry into the United States.
(Production: Paul Vieira) - Copyright Holder: STATE DEPARTMENT TV
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