The President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has called exaggerated claims by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that recently accused Mexico of having delayed visa issuance to 13 of its agents.
Mexico’s President said that delays in the issuance of visas occurred due to the procedures that need to be followed, VisaGuide.World reports.
In a press conference, the President said that the government has no interest in denying visas to DEA agents.
We have no interest in denying those visas. All we want is for it to be understood that we are an independent country and there are certain rules that have to be followed.
Recently, the DEA anti-drug agency said that the government of Mexico blocked the entry of 13 drug agents from the US to its country.
We have been waiting eight months for a visa and we know the cost that means to us in terms of our ability to work.
During this week, Milgram was part of a meeting held with representatives of the Appropriations Committee and the House Commerce, Justice and Science subcommittees to justify its budget request for the US’ anti-drug agency in the next fiscal year, from September 29, 2024, to September 27, 2025.
Regarding Mexico, Milgram said that cooperation has been inconsistent and the agency needs much more.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry Calls DEA’s Claims “Unfounded”
In response to Milgram’s comments, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) said that there is a legal procedure that must be followed for the accreditation of international agents into the country.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Bárcena, said that Mexico complies with article 69 of the National Security Law, which consists of a specific procedure for the accreditation of foreign law enforcement agents.
Based on this article, the accreditation of international agents implies a special procedure that requires consultations with several secretaries of State in Mexico and the evaluation by the Security Cabinet of Mexico.
Bárcena said that in this context, last January, four accreditations were approved for agents of DEA, considering “unfounded” the statement by the head of the DEA regarding a delay of over eight months in the accreditation of representatives.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the country cooperates consistently with the US allies in its fight against drug trafficking.