Earlier today, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr traveled to Mexico. Together with U.S. Ambassador Christopher Landau, Attorney General Barr met with Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Minister of Foreign Relations Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Secretary of Defense Luis Crescencio Sandoval Gonzalez, Secretary of the Navy Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran, Security Minister Alfonso Durazo Montaño and Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero to continue strengthening their bilateral law enforcement cooperation. Attorney General Barr also accompanied Ambassador Landau in a visit to Mexico’s National Shrine, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Attorney General Barr with Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon at the Mexican Foreign Ministry ahead of their bilateral meeting

Attorney General Barr and Mexican Government counterparts discussed a broad range of issues including their shared commitment to protecting the security and safety of the citizens of both the United States and Mexico from transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) as well as how our countries work together to combat drug, human, and arms trafficking. They talked about the importance of targeting illicit financial networks and disrupting the illicit movement of cash, weapons, and drugs, combatting corruption, and strengthening cooperation on bringing members of TCOs to justice.

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Attorney General Barr and U.S. Ambassador Landau

Attorney General Barr thanked the Mexican government for a number of recent matters, including the arrests of individuals suspected in the Nov. 4 murder of nine U.S. citizens in Northern Mexico and Mexico’s partnership in combatting illegal immigration at our shared border.

Secretary of the Navy Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran, Security Minister Alfonso Durazo Montaño, Attorney General Barr and Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon

The U.S. law enforcement relationship with Mexico is one of our most important partnerships to combat trans-border crime. Continued collaboration and successful joint law enforcement programs between the United States and Mexico on justice matters remain a priority for the U.S. Government. Attorney General Barr looks forward to further dialogue on these important matters. He will brief President Trump tomorrow on the trip and make recommendations for next steps.

US Ambassador Landau, Attorney General Barr, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Secretary of the Navy Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran and Security Minister Alfonso Durazo Montaño

Attorney General Barr signs the guest book at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Attorney General Barr receiving a gift from Monsignor Salvador Martinez Avila, the Rector of the Sanctuary of the Basilica.