The governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar, met with the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar at the border between the cities of Mexicali and Calexico, where infrastructure modernization projects and immigration assistance are being carried out at the border crossing, for both sides of the border.

The governor and the ambassador highlighted the work and willingness to collaborate by the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and the President of the United States, Joe Biden, in order to continue building the strengthening of this binational relation, where historic steps are being taken.

They highlighted high impact projects for border infrastructure in Baja California such as the restoration of Garita Centro in Mexicali, the work carried out at the port of entry in Los Algodones, actions to speed up border crossings between Tijuana and San Ysidro, and the construction of the Otay II port of entry, which was promoted heavily by the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Ken Salazar visited Baja California in order to supervise with Governor Marina del Pilar the projects that are being carried out at the port of entry between Mexicali and Calexico, both border cities.

As part of their tour, where they were accompanied by officials from both sides of the border, Ken Salazar and Marina del Pilar watched over the advances made regarding infrastructure meant to make border crossings quicker and easier.

In addition, they held a work meeting where they spoke about immigration issues, binational water supply, environmental protection, and border economic development, while talking about the significant progress projects have made whose goal is to positively impact the lives of inhabitants in both sides of the border.

In her message to Baja Californian society, the ambassador pointed out that goals have been accomplished in the border region with support from Governor Marina del Pilar, as these are tangible infrastructure projects that highly benefit Mexicans and Americans.

“When one sees the constructions of the efforts from the United States and Mexico, we can see that we are working as partners and not only here in Mexicali, but also in Tijuana, in Otay Mesa, all across the border with Baja California, Arizona, and all the way to Matamoros and Brownsville. Through these 3,000 kilometers we are working on these projects for the first time,” he said.

In addition, he highlighted the importance of the work meeting between US Government staff, the AMLO administration, and the Government of Baja California, as they are getting important results that are making a difference.

“I will continue to come here because the southwestern region of the US and the northwestern region of Mexico are a region that has many things. We do have some complex issues and we also have great opportunities to improve the life of the people of the United States and Mexico,” he added.

For her part, Governor Marina del Pilar stated that there is important progress being made regarding the restoration of the West Mexicali port of entry, which is occurring thanks to the willingness of both the governments of Washington and Mexico City.

“We are consolidating a new agenda for coexisting and integration, which will bring benefits for the inhabitants of both sides of the border, based on a sustainable, equal, and inclusive binational development,” Marina del Pilar said.

Marina del Pilar reiterated her complete support regarding complementary urban projects to speed up border crossings, included inside the RESPIRA program, as well as the management of resources, as the goal is to create a megaregion where the quality of life of people improves day by day.

“Baja California and California are not only the busiest border in the world, but also the land where great dreams come true. I am sure that the best moments of our binational relation are being built right now. United, we are building the border of the future,” she said.

It should be noted that the governor and the ambassador mentioned that the projects are progressing significantly, and gave as an example the construction work at the Otay II port of entry, which will be concluded in 2024 and will create a before and after for the border crossings between Tijuana and San Diego.

At this meeting, the following people were present: Tarcisio Navarrete, Consul of Mexico in Calexico; Maria Elena Giner, IBWC commissioner of the US; Ramon Riesgo, GSA director for programs at the southern US border; Kevin Ellerbrock, the ambassador’s assistant; Kurt Ignacio Honold Morales, Secretary of Economy and Innovation of Baja California; Arturo Espinoza Jaramillo, Secretary of Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Territory Redesign,; Marco Moreno Mexia, Secretary of Finance, among other representatives from both sides of the border.

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