During a two-day visit to Guadalajara early this week, United States Ambassador to Mexico E. Anthony Wayne made a quick trip to Ajijic to meet with resident expatriates. The courtesy call with around 100 invited guests took place Monday, August 26 on the grounds of the Lake Chapala Society.
Guadalajara Consul General Susan Abeyta introduced the ambassador as one of the country’s most distinguished diplomats, underscoring official accolades such as the Paul Wellstone Anti-Slavery Ambassador of 2008 for his work against trafficking in persons, the Cordell Hull Award for Economic Achievement in 2010 for his service in Afghanistan and his presidential nomination and senate confirmation as “Career Ambassador” also in 2010.
Wayne opened his remarks to the lakeside audience with a special salute to U.S. military veterans and congratulations to the many expats involved in charitable activities who contribute to polishing the image of the United States in foreign nations.
He segued into the central theme of his talk saying, “Your presence here speaks highly of the very vibrant relationship between Mexico and the United States,” making reference to the deep human ties sealed by an estimated one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico and 34 million Americans who boast a Mexican heritage.
“The 2,000 mile border is only a small part of the relationship. We literally and figuratively share a future together,” he stated, going on to outline the wide range of issues and common interests that bind the two countries, as well as NAFTA partner Canada.
He mentioned highlights of Barrack Obama’s trip to Mexico last May and general terms of agreement forged with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto to launch cabinet-level dialogue for setting an economic agenda to unlock potentials on both sides of the border, and to foster bilateral cooperation in education, research and innovation.
After hearing brief sketches of expat activity in the local community from spokespersons for various humanitarian organizations, Wayne turned to a few of the written questions submitted by the audience.
Asked if he is a descendent of famed American Revolution General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, the ambassador said while he has not been able to trace a direct blood link, he was indeed a namesake of the bold hero in the Battle of Stony Point.
On a more serious topic, the ambassador offered a reserved assessment of a possible turn-around in the level of criminal violence in Mexico under the Peña administration. He said that are positive signs of a declining homicide rate since 2012, but no clear indications of changing trends in cases of kidnapping and extortion. And while violence seems to be on a downswing in Ciudad Juarez and Monterrey, that is not the case in other places such as the states of Tamaulipas and Michoacan.
He emphasized that the U.S:.government is eager to cooperate with Mexico in dealing with security matters and in fostering the country’s transition to an oral justice system.
Bustling off to keep up with a tight working agenda, Wayne left other queries more pertinent to personal matters among local expats in the hands consular officials.