General News

Pierre Alarie, Canada’s new ambassador to Mexico, presented his credentials to President Enrique Peña Nieto this week. he had arrived in Mexico City on April 7, to replace outgoing ambassador Sara Hradecky.

A video circulating online shows a Mexican man running from three police officers in Pasco, Washington. He turns to face them and surrender as they open fire, killing him instantly. 

New measures announced in Canada’s federal budget Tuesday will expand its soon-to-be-introduced Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program to travelers from Mexico, as well as Brazil, Bulgaria and Romania.   

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton met with President Enrique Peña Nieto in Mexico City and made a surprise apology during his address.
In a speech to an audience of students, entrepreneurs and reporters, Clinton apologized for the impact of his anti-drug policies on Mexico.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said Mexico’s traditions and culture could help the country become a major hub for foreign investment. 

Speaking at the Tianguis Turistico in Acapulco, Blair praised President Enrique Peña Nieto’s reforms. “Mexico is moving in the right direction and has introduced important changes needed to become a first-world country,” he said. 

Blair said that it “was a great moment” for Mexico and that Mexicans “should trust in the reforms and the necessary changes.” 

He also said that many leaders have faced opposition to structural reforms but that the changes had transformed their economies. 

Nevertheless, Blair, who was Prime Minister for ten years, noted that “Mexico still needed to adjust certain elements of its democracy so it could elevate its potential.”

With regards to tourism, Blair said “Mexico was very well positioned” for the future and destinations like Acapulco were experiencing “a comeback” after security fears had kept tourists away.

The Mexican government criticized a Texas judge’s decision to halt President Obama’s deportation amnesty this week. The court ruling halted the program that allows Mexicans living in the United States without documents to avoid deportation. 

A United Nations report has placed Mexico among the worst 30 countries in the world for human rights abuses, with Venezuela being the only other Latin American country on the list.

The prioritization of the cases of more than 60,000 unaccompanied Central American children has had a negative side-effect for other undocumented immigrants. 

Since the summer, thousands of people who are seeking legalization have had their hearings canceled without reschedule. The government is telling many of them that it may be 2019 or later before their cases are judged.

Some immigration lawyers are arguing that the delay will lead to deportations, as supporting witnesses disappear or die and dependent children become adults. Immigration lawyer David Simmons said that in 30 years of practice, he had never seen a deadlock like it. “There is no maneuverability,” he said. “It’s as if we have no court at all.”