LatinNews Daily - 20 May 2024

*Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has met with Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo to discuss cooperation on rail connectivity, customs infrastructure, migration, and security. The two presidents met in Tapachula, a city in Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas close to the border with Guatemala. The presidents agreed to prioritise the development of infrastructure at three of the eight border crossings: El Ceibo-El Ceibo, Ingenieros-Nuevo Orizaba, and Tecún Umán II-Suchiate II. In particular, they agreed on the implementation of a joint cargo dispatch pilot plan at the Suchiate II-Tecún Umán II crossing, where 80% of bilateral trade is registered according to Mexico’s foreign ministry (SRE), by next October to optimise the customs process, reduce logistics costs, improve security, and promote bilateral and regional trade. The pair also discussed rail connectivity, with Arévalo expressing interest in Guatemala participating in two of López Obrador’s flagship rail projects – the Tren Maya tourist railway and the inter-oceanic Tehuantepec railway – both of which are in the south of Mexico close to the border with Guatemala. In a statement, the SRE said this would “open spaces for collaboration and joint work to contribute to the integration of the Central American country with Mexico and the North American economy”, without specifying the details of potential collaboration. On social media, Arévalo thanked López Obrador for the meeting, stating that “reducing crime and improving rail infrastructure are part of the joint work we have agreed to do with Mexico to further strengthen the friendship between our nations”.