BROWNSVILLE, RGV – Congressman Filemon Vela has told Vice President Joe Biden in a letter that violent criminal activity in Tamaulipas has “ripped apart” the South Texas border region’s way of life and has weakened its economy.
In a desperate plea for help, Vela urged Biden to focus on strengthening the rule of law in Tamaulipas when he and President Obama meet with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in Washington, D.C., later this week.
“Trade and commerce fuel our cross-border economy, but rising violence and crime in Mexican states that border the U.S., like Tamaulipas, threaten both nations,” Vela said, in a statement accompanying his letter to Biden.
“We must work with Mexico to reduce trafficking and criminal activity, to see that the rule of law is fully integrated into their society, and to promote socioeconomic initiatives which will improve the quality of life for all Mexicans.”
According to the State Department, part of the Obama-Peña Nieto meeting is slated to cover “strategic economic and commercial priorities central to promoting mutual economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness” between the United States and Mexico. The two presidents have agreed to conduct “High Level Economic Dialogue” at least once a year in order to “promote competitiveness and connectivity, foster economic growth, productivity and innovation, and partner on regional and global leadership.” Biden is expected to lead this aspect of the talks, which is why Vela wrote to him and not Obama.
Many analysts believe the visit will be overshadowed by Peña Nieto’s problems at home. His popularity has plummeted following the disappearance of 43 students in Iguala. Polls show Mexicans believe corruption in government and law enforcement agencies has increased not decreased under Peña Nieto’s watch.
In an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian last November, Vela said he would be making insecurity in Mexico a top agenda issue in the next Congress. True to his word, Vela on Monday wrote to Biden about what he believes is a much worsened situation in the state of Tamaulipas.
In the letter, Vela acknowledges that Peña Nieto has had some success in some areas. However, he says that has not happened in Tamaulipas. He said the state has seen a “rapid escalation in violent criminal activity.” He said this has “impacted residents on both sides of the U.S-Mexico border and weakened our border economy.”
Vela said border cities like Matamoros and Reynosa used to be safe for Americans to visit. Now they are the location for extortions, kidnappings, and killings, he writes, in his letter to Biden.
“U.S. border communities in the Rio Grande Valley remain some of the safest cities in the nation. However, violence in the state of Tamaulipas has hampered trade between our two nations and has ripped apart our way of life on the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas,” the letter states.
“I urge both administrations to enhance efforts to target drug cartels and discuss the establishment of a secure economic zone that would include communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.”
Vela points out that the victims of violence include constituents he represents in Congress. “Earlier this year, three siblings from Progreso, Texas, were abducted and murdered while visiting their father in Matamoros, Mexico,” Vela writes. He is referring to Erica Alvarado Rivera, 26, Alex Alvarado, 22, and Jose Angel Alvarado, 21. The young adults went missing on Oct. 13. Their bodies were found a short time later in Matamoros, just across the Rio Grande from Vela’s hometown of Brownsville.
In the letter, Vela also points to recent stories in the media about a plan by Peña Nieto to set up “secure economic zones” in states in southern Mexico. Vela said he believes a similar plan should be adopted for northern Mexican states and in particular in Tamaulipas.
“It would seem wise to include discussion of a joint economic plan that would impact communities on both sides of the border during your upcoming visit with President Peña Nieto. Such a plan would help the state of Tamaulipas reduce crime and also provide more economic opportunities for people living in cities on the U.S.-Mexico border,” Vela said in his letter.
Here is Vela’s letter to Biden in full:
January 5, 2015
The Honorable Joe Biden
Vice President of United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Vice President Biden:
In preparation for your upcoming High-Level Economic Dialogue meeting with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico, I urge you to stress the importance of strengthening security in northern Mexico in states such as Tamaulipas and to promote the establishment of a secure economic zone.
While concerted efforts by the Mexican government and military have reduced violence in many areas, the state of Tamaulipas has seen a rapid escalation in violent criminal activity which has impacted residents on both sides of the U.S-Mexico border and weakened our border economy.
Victims of the violence include constituents I represent in Congress. Earlier this year, three siblings from Progreso, Texas, were abducted and murdered while visiting their father in Matamoros, Mexico.
In a travel warning updated on December 24, 2014, the U.S. Department of State warns, “Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks with explosive devices in the past year. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements and/or the Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all times of the day. The number of reported kidnappings for Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico, and the number of U.S. citizens reported to the consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo as being kidnapped, abducted, or disappearing involuntarily in 2014 has also increased.”
Border cities like Matamoros and Reynosa, which used to be safe for Americans to visit, are now the location of extortions, kidnappings, and killings. U.S. border communities in the Rio Grande Valley remain some of the safest cities in the nation. However, violence in the state of Tamaulipas has hampered trade between our two nations and has ripped apart our way of life on the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas.
Recently, media reported on President Peña Nieto’s plan for secure economic zones in states in southern Mexico, and I believe a similar plan can be adapted for states in northern Mexico, specifically Mexican states like Tamaulipas that border the U.S. It would seem wise to include discussion of a joint economic plan that would impact communities on both sides of the border during your upcoming visit with President Peña Nieto. Such a plan would help the state of Tamaulipas reduce crime and also provide more economic opportunities for people living in cities on the U.S.-Mexico border.
I urge both administrations to enhance efforts to target drug cartels and discuss the establishment of a secure economic zone that would include communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Sincerely,
Filemon Vela
Member of Congress
