Tag Archives: Mexico

U.S., Mexico Unite Against Drugs / “Heavy” Team Aids after NZ Quake / 50 Years of the Peace Corps

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The U.S. and Mexico vow to work together to fight drug trafficking. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for a new nuclear weapons treaty. The U.S. and international relief organizations are increasing their efforts to airlift those fleeing from the violence in Libya. The Los Angeles “heavy” team has flown to New Zealand to help after the earthquake. And, the Peace Corps turns 50.

U.S.-Mexico relations

U.S., Mexico Anti-Drug Efforts
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President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon pledged to work more closely to thwart continuing illicit drug trafficking and its related violence. “As I’ve said before, President Calderon and the Mexican people have shown extraordinary courage in the fight for their country,” Obama said during a joint press conference at the White House.

A Nuclear Materials Treaty
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for the Conference on Disarmament to move ahead quickly on a proposed multilateral treaty that would ban the production of nuclear-weapons using fissile materials. “Our long-term goal, our vision, is a world without nuclear weapons,” says Clinton.

Airlifting Libyan Refugees
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President Obama announced that U.S. planes will fly Egyptian citizens home from Tunisia, where they fled to escape weeks of violence in Libya. Obama’s announcement came as an internationally-backed airlift began, with more than 50 flights carrying migrant workers home.

“Heavy” Team Aids after NZ Quake
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After the February 22 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, The U.S. Agency for International Development called the Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue “heavy” team. Within about 30 hours, the 74-member unit and all their equipment were flying across the Pacific. Explains Los Angeles Battalion Chief Larry Collins, “It’s heavy muscle coming in.”

Peace Corps Marks 50 Years
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On March 1, the Peace Corps celebrated 50 years of service. President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps as a challenge to American college students to give up two years of their lives to help people in countries in the developing world. Over five decades, more than 200,000 volunteers have served 139 host countries. At right, the community of Likpe Todome in the Volta region of Ghana with their Peace Corps volunteer, Leanne Polachek.

U.S. Anti-Crime Aid to Mexico / The Peace Corps is 50 / Russian Imperial Stamps

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The United States is stepping up efforts to help Mexico fight crime. The Peace Corps celebrates its 50th anniversary. An all-women technology delegation of leading U.S. innovators and entrepreneurs heads to Africa to help offer opportunities for women and girls. Some dentists are going green. And more than 14,000 rare Russian stamps were recently uncovered at the Smithsonian.

U.S. Anti-Crime Aid for Mexico
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The United States can accelerate the implementation of its security assistance to Mexico and other countries in the fight against transnational criminal organizations, a senior Obama administration official says. The announcement comes ahead of a meeting between Mexican President Felipe Calderón, left, and President Obama in Washington. 

Peace Corps Marks 50 Years
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On March 1, the Peace Corps celebrated 50 years of service. President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps as a challenge to American college students to give up two years of their lives to help people in countries in the developing world. Over five decades, more than 200,000 volunteers have served 139 host countries.

For African Woman, Tech Opportunities
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The United States sends an all-women technology delegation of leading U.S. innovators and entrepreneurs to Liberia and Sierra Leone to help offer opportunities for women and girls. “While in West Africa, the group will explore how technology can increase opportunities for women and girls,” the State Department says in an announcement.

When Your Dentist Turns Green
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A movement is building to “green” America’s 125,000-plus dental offices. Since Ina and Fred Pockrass founded the Eco-Dentistry Association in 2008, dental offices in 45 states and 13 other countries have pledged to reduce their impact on the environment.

A 1863 Russian stamp

Photo Gallery: Russian Imperial Stamps
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One of the best collections of Russian stamps in the world was recently found in a storage vault at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum. The collection, composed of more than 14,000 Russian stamps, is truly exceptional in terms of its quality and rarity. At right, a rare carmine proof stamp, created in 1863, that was never produced. The stamps were ultimately issued in blue for use under the Ottoman Empire by Russian post offices in the Levant. The inscription reads “Dispatch small parcel to the Orient.” The Russian Imperial double-headed eagle is depicted with the orb and scepter in its claws.

The State of the Union / U.S., Mexico Action on Cross-Border Crime / Mothers and Daughters

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President Obama updates the nation on the State of the Union. The U.S. and Mexico talk tough on cross-border crime. Finance leaders expect this year’s G20 and G8 summits to focus on world food price and currency stability. Learn about a unique and environmentally-friendly use for old cooking oil. And finally, watch mothers and daughters in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan share their dreams and aspirations.


Obama Offers Plan to Meet 21st Century Challenges
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In the annual State of the Union address, President Obama urges American lawmakers to support innovative research and educational opportunities as a means of maintaining U.S. economic competitiveness and ensuring its progress in the 21st century. Obama referred to dramatic educational and research advances in countries like China and India, and said that he would ask Congress to fund programs in clean energy technology, biomedical research and information technology to help strengthen U.S. security, protect the environment and create new jobs in the United States.

U.S., Mexico to Take Steps on Border Crime
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa say the United States and Mexico are taking “decisive steps” to combat cross-border organized crime. The two leaders made remarks to the press after meeting in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Preparing for the G20
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The Group of 20 (G20) major industrial and emerging-market nations are expected to focus on world food price and currency stability during summits in 2011, finance leaders say at preliminary meetings in Paris.

The Power of Cooking Grease
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Chula Vista, a green California town near the Mexican border, recently contracted with a company that collects cooking grease from area restaurants and converts it into a 20-percent-grade biodiesel fuel known as B20. In recent months, the federal government has supported several similar projects around the country.

A mother and daughter in Afghanistan“Dreams for My Mother, Dreams for My Daughter”
Explore the videos and interviews in “Dreams for My Mother, Dreams for My Daughter,” a project by America.gov and the U.S. embassies in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in which pairs of mothers and daughters took turns interviewing each other about their dreams and aspirations. At left, Arezoo Ghanem in Afghanistan responds to a question from her mother, Maleke Ghanem, right, about her dreams for herself and for her country.

State dinner

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Obamas

The White House literally rolled out the red carpet to welcome Mexican President Felipe Calderón and his wife Margarita Zavala May 19. While in Washington, Calderón met with U.S. officials and addressed Congress, but one of the highlights of his itinerary (at least for many Americans) was the state dinner in the Calderóns’ honor.

The state dinner is an elegant affair that attracts politicians and celebrities alike. It was only the second such dinner of the Obama administration. “Tonight we celebrate the bonds we share, as neighbors and as friends,” Obama said during his toast.

President Calderón also gave a toast. “Today I have once again seen that we share the hope to turn this relationship between the people from the United States of America and the people from Mexico into an example of how much can be achieved among neighbors when working together under the guidance of common ideals such as peace, security, prosperity, freedom and democracy,” he said.

First Lady Travels Solo to Mexico

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Michelle Obama completed her week-long visit to Mexico, her first official trip without the president, April 15. She said she hoped to encourage the United States’ relationship with its southern neighbor.

“Mexico is really a natural first step for me,” she said. “The relationships that our countries have with one another are deep and broad. So many U.S. citizens trace their roots back to Mexico, and our cultures are very connected in so many ways: shared values and the like, belief in strong family and faith. This is an opportunity for our countries to highlight those shared values.”

She spent time with Mexican President Calderon and his wife, Zavala, in Los Pinos Wednesday.

“My international agenda as first lady is going to focus on speaking to young people,” Michelle Obama said, “because I believe – and so does the president – that in order for the world to meet the challenges that we’ll face, we’re going to need this coming generation to know that they’re prepared and they’re ready to take on this challenge. We have to tap into that talent wherever it lives.”

She also visited schools and spoke at a university Mexico City.

“My message to the young people is that success and possibility doesn’t know a race, a background, a gender, a socioeconomic class,” she said, “that we’re going to need the energy and the passion of every single young person… and have those young people believing in their own potential.”

Watch Michelle Obama’s address at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

Obama meets with Mexican, Canadian leaders

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Barack Obama lands in Mexico

President Obama is in Guadalajara, Mexico, wrapping up a North American summit with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “North America is defined not simply by our borders but by our bonds,” Obama said during a press conference, “and that is the spirit that defined the very productive summit that we had here today.”

The leaders discussed trade and economic cooperation, immigration, climate change and H1N1 influenza. “We resolved to continue taking all necessary preparations and precautions to prepare for the upcoming flu season and protect the health of our people,” Obama said.

Speaking about Mexico’s challenges with drug cartels, Obama praised Calderon’s efforts to fight drug cartels while remaining transparent and respectful of human rights. “The United States will remain a full partner in this effort,” he said.

For more, see “North American Leaders Discuss Trade, H1N1 Flu, Climate Change.”

Day 86: United States will help Mexico fight drugs, Obama says

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President Obama visited Mexico today to speak with President Felipe Calderón about the bordering nations’ shared concerns over the economy and Mexico’s drug war. Ahead of their talks, President Obama said he hopes the two nations can make their strong relationship even stronger.

“It is more important than ever that we work together not only to restore economic growth in Mexico and the United States, but also to make sure that growth is sustainable, and to make sure that growth is from the bottom up, so that each and every person — every young person here in Mexico, as well as every young person in the United States — has an opportunity to live out their dreams,” Obama said.

By working together to fight shared problems, Mexico and the United States can provide a better future for both of their children, the president said.

“I’m very much looking forward to developing the kind of relationship between Mexico and the United States that will allow all the children here and all the children in both countries to thrive for years to come,” Obama said.

Day 64: White House, Secretary of State taking questions

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Americans have a lot of questions about the economy, and now the White House Web site plans to provide some answers. In a new feature, people can submit their questions. Users can also search the submitted questions and vote on their favorites. On March 26, President Obama will answer some of the most popular questions during a video town hall on WhiteHouse.gov.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is taking your questions too. She’s currently in Mexico, meeting with leaders on a multitude of issues that impact U.S.-Mexican relations. Cooperation on battling drug cartels is likely to be a key area for discussion, because the Obama administration recently unveiled a new strategy to fight drug trafficking.

Have questions for the secretary while she travels? You can text message her! Secretary Clinton will answer some of these questions upon her return to the United States.