It is vital for the US to have a "prosperous and safe" neighboring country, says Christopher Landau

Abraham Bote
Photo: Twitter @MauVila
Translation: Jordan Sheldahl
La Jornada Maya

Mérida, Yucatán
Wednesday, October 23, 2019

The new US ambassador to Mexico, Christopher Landau, in a recent visit to Mérida, met with the governor of Yucatan, Mauricio Vila Dosal, to strengthen economic ties between the state and the northern country. They also discussed projects pertaining to security, justice, education and entrepreneurship, that would benefit both countries. This was announced in a message from the Yucatecan president on October 23rd in the Hall of History in the Government Palace, where he highlighted the security in Mérida and Yucatan as a whole, which is attractive for US investments.

The diplomat reported that he and Vila Dosal discussed the optimistic future of Yucatan and also addressed issues of investment, economic growth and the relationships between southeast Mexico and the United States.

In turn, Vila Dosal highlighted the security in the state, which is important for the investment and welfare of both nations. In the time he has been here, he has been able to see why so many US Americans want to come live on the peninsula. "For the United States it is important and vital to have a friendly neighboring country that is prosperous and safe", said the ambassador.

"That is why we are working on security, justice, education, and entrepreneurship programs that benefit both countries", he added.

The US diplomat added that yesterday he visited what will be the new headquarters of the consulate general in Mérida to underline his country's commitment to this region of Mexico. He also had the opportunity to attend the General Cemetery of Merida to learn more about the traditions and customs of Day of the Dead.

[b]Narrow Relationships[/b]

Vila Dosal thanked the ambassador for his visit, which strengthens relationships based on tourism, commerce, health and education that the United States and the government of Yucatán have long shared.

The president estimated that more than 10 thousand Americans live in Merida, many come in the winter and buy houses on the Yucatecan coast and city center, and recalled all that has been done in coordination with the consulate.

"Recently we had the summit of women leaders in Latin America in Mérida, where we promoted female empowerment, we made arrangements with businessmen from the United States who want to invest in Yucatan, and gave the facilities to the Cabecitas blanca (White Heads) program which helps migrant families travel to the United States to visit their loved ones".

Later, the state president explained that in the United States there are between 200 and 220 thousand Yucatecans who live mainly in California, and the remittances they send substantially improve the lives of their relatives in Yucatan.

Commercially, he reported that 65 percent of Yucatecan exports are to Mexico’s northern neighbor, while 71 percent of United States imports from Mexico come from Yucatan, placing the United States as the main trading partner of Yucatan, he said.

Vila Dosal also reported that he and the ambassador discussed the topic of investment projects worth more than 40 billion pesos that will generate 30 thousand jobs. Yucatan is the perfect site for these projects due to its climate of tranquility and quality of life.

"This visit has been extremely productive, it endorses Yucatan to the United States as its allies and will fortify the economy, especially in strengthening the T-MEC, and triggers greater trade between Mexico and the United States," said the governor of Yucatan.

On the other hand, the US embassy in Mexico highlighted an investment of 57.6 million dollars for the first half of 2019, making the US the number one investor in the state of Yucatán.

Through its official Twitter account, the diplomatic headquarters affirmed that "By promoting trade and business opportunities in the region, the development and welfare of its people is promoted."