Pentagon Chief Mattis Describes Mexico As A Longtime Partner ‘Keenly Aware’ Of Its Security Challenges

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Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday highlighted Mexico’s efforts to stop illegal drugs and human trafficking, saying officials here are “keenly aware” of their security challenges and working with the United States to confront them.

Mattis made his comments as he flew to Mexico to join celebrations of the country’s Independence Day and meet senior Mexican officials, including Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray.

The visit coincides with the continuing debate over President Donald Trump’s plan to build a border wall, which is deeply unpopular in Mexico. Mattis said he wanted to “pay our respects to our southern neighbor.” The United States and Mexico have very supportive military-to-military ties, and his visit is an effort to reinforce that, he said.

“I’m going down to build the trust and show the respect on their Independence Day,” he said.

The visit marks the latest occasion in which the defense secretary is attempting to reassure a U.S. partner hostile to positions taken by the Trump administration. The defense secretary, however, has expressed frustration when he has been portrayed as at odds with the president on policy, and instead has sought to highlight the strong relationships the U.S. military has with its counterparts across the world.

Mattis planned to meet Friday with senior Mexican military officials, including Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, Mexico’s secretary of national defense, and Adm. Vidal Francisco Soberon Sanz, the secretary of Mexico’s navy. They were joined by U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson, the chief of Northern Command, and the top U.S. Navy officer, Adm. John Richardson.

Mattis is the fifth U.S. defense secretary to visit Mexico and the first to do so for Independence Day festivities, defense officials said.

Mattis arrived in Mexico just after The New York Times reported that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly – in a meeting between Trump and congressional leaders – had compared Mexico to Venezuela during the tumultuous rule of Hugo Chávez and suggested Mexico was on the verge of a collapse.

Asked about the report, Mattis seemed to question such a dire characterization of Mexico.

“Every nation has its challenges,” he said of Mexico. “I’m here to support them in dealing with them.”

The defense secretary said there is no role for the U.S. military in defending the U.S.-Mexican border, adding that it will continue to be protected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“Our job is overseas,” Mattis said of the military. “We have no arrest authorities.”

 

 

(c) 2017, The Washington Post · Dan Lamothe

{Matzav.com}


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