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Mexico Foreign Minister defends sovereignty in Senate appearance
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez appeared before the Senate to report on the country's foreign policy and bilateral cooperation with the United States. Velasco emphasized that Mexico's sovereignty is non-negotiable and highlighted significant achievements in security and consular services. He reported a 67 percent decrease in monthly fentanyl seizures at the southern U.S. border and noted that the consular network attended over 152,000 protection cases in 2026.
During the hearing, Velasco faced questioning from senators regarding the impact of security and extradition decisions on USMCA negotiations. He maintained that commercial relations should remain separate from political and security matters. He also addressed the protection of Mexican nationals abroad, noting that the ministry sent 16 diplomatic notes and filed 20 complaints regarding incidents involving Mexicans in U.S. custody.
Separately, former U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar returned to Mexico City to present his memoirs, ‘Fronteras. Mi lucha por una América unida’. The book details his tenure as ambassador from 2021 to 2025 and his perspective on the bilateral relationship during the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Salazar also commented on the potential impact of Mexico's judicial reform on foreign investment.
Entities
Andrés Manuel López Obrador · Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo · Ismael Zambada · Joe Biden · Ken Salazar · Mexico · Roberto Velasco Álvarez · Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores · Senate of the Republic · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Monthly fentanyl seizures at the southern U.S. border decreased by 67 percent between October 2024 and August 2026. columnadigital.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · oncenoticias.digital · www.excelsior.com.mx
- [● 4 SOURCES] Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco stated that national sovereignty and interest are non-negotiable. columnadigital.com · www.contramuro.com · oncenoticias.digital · www.excelsior.com.mx
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Mexican consular network attended 152,466 protection cases in 2026. columnadigital.com · www.contramuro.com · oncenoticias.digital · www.excelsior.com.mx
- [● 3 SOURCES] The consular network conducted 9,632 visits to migrant detention centers in the United States. columnadigital.com · oncenoticias.digital · www.excelsior.com.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ken Salazar noted that U.S. investment in Mexico has slowed due to the judicial reform. xeu.mx
- [● 2 SOURCES] Senator Marko Cortés questioned if security and extradition decisions could affect USMCA reviews. columnadigital.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mexico has removed more than 35,000 firearms from circulation, mostly from the United States. columnadigital.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · oncenoticias.digital
- [● 3 SOURCES] Former U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar is presenting his book 'Fronteras. Mi lucha por una América unida' in Mexico City. billieparkernoticias.com · xeu.mx