Foreign Ministry and Navy officials meet with US ambassador after attacks on suspected drug-running boats

MEXICO CITY (apro) – Hours after President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo complained about the new attacks by the United States military against two vessels in international waters of the Caribbean – which led the Mexican government to intervene to rescue a survivor – Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, head of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), met with Ronald Johnson, the United States ambassador to Mexico.

Without offering many details about the meeting, triggered by a new deadly air attack against ships allegedly loaded with drugs, the Foreign Ministry stated that the dialogue took place "in an atmosphere of cordiality" and indicated that the participants agreed that "the main priority is the safeguarding of human life at sea, as well as full respect for national sovereignty."

Far from the reproachful tone the president adopted earlier in the day when she expressed her disapproval of the drone attacks, the Foreign Ministry statement indicated that the three men reaffirmed "the commitment to understanding and cooperation that has historically characterized the relationship between both nations."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) stressed that the meeting was held "on the instructions of President Claudia Sheinbaum," but asserted that "its objective was to strengthen bilateral coordination between Mexico and the United States on maritime matters."