This week, Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco received U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson at the headquarters of the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE). During the meeting, they discussed shared priorities and reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. In a social media post this Saturday, the SRE stated that it met with Johnson this week “to discuss the various topics on the shared agenda.” In this context, the agency added that they “reiterated the mutual commitment to continue strengthening cooperation and collaboration, based on the principles that guide the bilateral relationship to bring well-being and prosperity to both sides of the border.” Johnson, in turn, also on social media, pointed out that in his meeting with Velasco, the new head of the SRE, they discussed “the shared goals of our countries and the importance of continuing to collaborate to strengthen this historic cooperation and continue to yield results for the benefit of both nations.” Johnson congratulated Velasco on his appointment and wished him the greatest success in his role, “as we continue to advance this relationship under the leadership of (U.S.) President Donald Trump and (Mexican) President Claudia Sheinbaum.” The Mexican Senate ratified Roberto Velasco as the country's new foreign minister last Wednesday, after having been proposed for the position by the head of state Sheinbaum. With 81 votes in favor and 30 against, the upper chamber approved that the 38-year-old Velasco assume the leadership of the SRE, following the resignation of Juan Ramón de la Fuente a week ago for health reasons. During his appearance before the Senate, Velasco assured that he will not yield on sovereignty matters with respect to the United States, will seek to regulate migratory flows, and will support the review of the trade treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (T-MEC), in a context of growing commercial and migratory tension with Washington. Velasco outlined a foreign policy based on “cooperation without subordination,” with an emphasis on security, regional integration, and trade, as well as on strengthening ties with Canada, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and Cuba. The new foreign minister took office following his previous experience in managing the diplomatic agenda of the region, after having served as Undersecretary for North America at the SRE.
