United States and Mexico Issue Joint Statement on the Launch of Phase II of the Bicentennial Framework
The United States and Mexico have jointly announced the launch of Phase II of the Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities. The implementation of Phase II follows the North American Leaders' Summit on January 9-10, 2023, where the leaders of Mexico, Canada, and the United States pledged to combat the synthetic opioid epidemic in North America.
At the high-level meeting on March 9, 2023, in Mexico's National Palace, the two delegations agreed to deepen their law enforcement cooperation in combating illicit fentanyl production, trafficking of high-caliber weapons and ammunition, and transnational organized crime. They also pledged to launch a binational public health campaign aimed at reducing drug consumption risks.
Additionally, the U.S. returned approximately $25 million in funds that were stolen by criminal actors to the Mexican government. This money will be used to further the goals of the Bicentennial Framework.
Finally, the leaders of both countries expressed their commitment to disrupting criminal networks that are affecting both countries, including those responsible for the recent kidnapping of U.S. citizens in Matamoros.
The Mexican delegation included Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Security Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Secretary of Defense General Luis Cresencio Sandoval, Secretary of the Navy José Rafael Ojeda, and Chief Officer for North America Roberto Velasco. The U.S. delegation included Dr. Sherwood-Randall, White House Director of National Drug Control Policy Dr. Rahul Gupta, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security John Tien, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Charisse Phillips, and Senior Directors on President Biden's National Security Council Juan González and Katie Tobin.
