US and Mexican Foreign Ministers Discuss Enhancing Cooperation to Combat Illegal Immigration and Criminal Gangs

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with his Mexican counterpart, Roberto Velasco, on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal gangs. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement on Wednesday that the meeting also addressed how to enhance cooperation on shared regional priorities and security issues of mutual concern. Pigott added that Secretary Rubio urged his Mexican counterpart to take “decisive action” to end illegal immigration and halt the smuggling of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States. He clarified that the U.S. Secretary of State also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to dismantling “foreign terrorist organizations and organized crime syndicates” and cutting off their supply of weapons.