Mexico agrees to invest US$ 1.5 bn in ‘smart’ border technology

MEXICO: Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador agreed to spend US$ 1.5 billion to improve “smart” border technology during meetings Tuesday with US President Joe Biden — a move the White House says shows neighbourly cooperation succeeding where the Trump administration vows to wall off the border and have Mexico pay for it could not.

A person familiar with a series of agreements the two countries hammered out as their leaders met in Washington said they also called for other things like expanding the number of work visas the U.S. issues and welcoming more refugees. They also would continue joint patrols for Mexico and Guatemala to hunt human smugglers along their shared border.

Biden was equally conciliatory, saying, “I see, we see Mexico as an equal partner” and shrugging off differences of opinion on policy with López Obrador, “You and I have a strong and productive relationship and I would argue a partnership.”

A series of agreements announced by the Biden administration pledged joint actions to modernize and improve infrastructure along key parts of their 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometre) border, enhance law enforcement cooperation against fentanyl smuggling and promote clean energy.

– JAPAN TODAY