President Joe Biden told reporters this Monday that the migrant situation at the border is “already going well,” thanks to cooperation with the Mexican government. This message came from the U.S. president during a meeting with his Mexican counterpart, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, at the National Palace in Mexico City. The leaders gathered during the North American Leaders’ Summit, marking Biden’s first trip to a Latin American country since taking office two years ago. “We’re going to talk about how we can address irregular migration, which I think is going very well already,” Biden said while seated across from López Obrador.
The Democratic leader also stressed the need for joint efforts to curb the fentanyl crisis, a synthetic drug linked to many U.S. overdose deaths and tied to production in Mexico. On economic matters, he suggested strengthening supply chains to make the North American region more competitive. “Mexico is a true partner and there’s nothing we can’t do when we work together with mutual respect,” Biden stated.
Internationally, Biden asked López Obrador to continue supporting democracy in the United States and reminded him that the United States provides substantial foreign aid. He described the moment as a turning point since World War II, with decisions today shaping the world for decades to come.
The meeting followed the White House’s announcement of a new immigration program intended to curb arrivals at the southern border. The United States will admit up to 30,000 Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians, while openly returning irregular entrants to Mexico.
Both presidents also discussed the arrest in Mexico of Ovidio Guzmán, a son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and the U.S. pursuit of his extradition on drug trafficking charges.
The U.S. delegation includes Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Attorney General Merrick Garland; Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo; Alejandro Majorca, Minister of National Security; and John Kerry, presidential adviser for climate, among others. On the Mexican side, Marcelo Ebrard serves as foreign minister; Adán Augusto López is the interior minister; Defense forces are led by Luis Cresencio Sandoval; Marina’s Rafael Ojeda; Security by Rosa Icela Rodríguez; and the Treasury by Rogelio Ramírez de la O; Environment by María Luisa Albores and Economy by Raquel Buenrostro.
The end of “Contempt”
López Obrador urged Biden to end what he called contempt for Latin American countries and to push for economic integration across the continent. Speaking at the start of the bilateral talks as part of the Leaders’ Summit, he argued, “It is time to end this forgetfulness, this abandonment, this contempt for Latin America and the Caribbean.” He noted that Regional competition is being shaped in Mexico City this week.
López Obrador added that no other leader should run this effort alone and pressed Biden to begin a new phase based on mutual respect and joint support among the peoples and nations of the region. “You hold the key to opening and significantly improving relations across the Americas.”
The Mexican president signaled a renewed approach to U.S. relations with the rest of the continent, arguing that the last truly ambitious development policy was John F. Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress in 1961. He highlighted advantages such as a young, creative workforce, technological progress, and abundant natural resources.
He acknowledged the venture’s complexity and controversy but stressed there is no better path to a peaceful, fair future for all peoples of the Americas and future generations. He called for stronger solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and a commitment to ensuring no one is left behind. “Let us pursue together the beautiful utopia of freedom, equality, and true democracy,” he added.
One proposal Mexico plans to bring to the United States and Canada during the summit is the creation of the Alliance for the Welfare of the Peoples of America, as reported previously by the government.
After a roughly hour-long drive from the airport to the capital, López Obrador and Biden discussed the broader agenda. The Mexican president later stated that North American integration should extend beyond the three countries to strengthen sovereignty for Canada, the United States, and Mexico and to consider broader continental cohesion. He spoke during a daily press conference, addressing the summit’s content.
Tonight, López Obrador, Biden, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend a formal dinner and meet again on Tuesday to discuss immigration, drug trafficking, and energy matters.