Mexico Calls Meeting of Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean to Address Migration Issue
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has called for a gathering of leaders and foreign ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean to convene in Palenque, Chiapas, on Sunday, October 22. The purpose of this assembly is to collectively address the escalating migratory influx towards the United States.
President López Obrador disclosed that the following individuals have been extended invitations: Xiomara Castro, President of Honduras; Guillermo Lasso, President of Ecuador; Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia; Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador; Alejandro Giammattei, President of Guatemala; Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela; Ariel Henry, Prime Minister of Haiti; Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba; Rodrigo Chaves, President of Costa Rica; Laurentino Cortizo, President of Panama, and Johnny Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize.
The initiative is founded on the principles of good neighborliness, aimed at alleviating poverty and enhancing the well-being of the region’s inhabitants, with the goal of collaboratively addressing the migratory issue, which deeply concerns all participating nations.
The Mexican government will present a comprehensive proposal, primarily centered on creating employment and educational opportunities within the countries of origin to tackle the root causes of migration. Addressing the problem of human trafficking will also be a pivotal aspect of the discussions.
President López Obrador emphasized that these eleven countries play a pivotal role in addressing migration issues, either because their citizens are the ones migrating or because they serve as transit nations with significant migratory flows.
During a morning press conference, the President presented recent data from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which revealed a 20 percent increase in migratory flows during August, with a notable presence of Venezuelan citizens.
The approach to this issue is to explore ways to offer support in the countries of origin and to reduce the need for migration through job opportunities and improved living conditions, rather than relying solely on coercive measures, border militarization, and checkpoints.
President López Obrador underscored the importance of Mexico’s positive relationships with all the participating countries, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address the root causes of migration.
He stressed the urgency of action, noting that if the issue is ignored, the risks will only escalate, and it is essential to engage in dialogue and cooperation to mitigate the growing migratory flow.
See Related:
Costa Rica, Panama Launch Joint Mission to Tackle Irregular Migration
Costa Rica Declares Migration Crisis a National Emergency
The Count of Missing & Deceased Migrants Has Risen
Train Suspensions in Mexico Do Not Deter Migrants
Deploying Military Not a Solution to Migration Escalation
Xiomara Castro holds meeting at the US Southern Border
Soledad Quartucci | CEO/Founder, Latina Republic
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