PHARR, Texas - Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz is urging leaders along the border region to unite to improve the lives of its residents.
While acknowledging that border security has improved over the past nine months (in other words since President Trump took office again) Peña says it has been a difficult year for border communities.
“I have to be honest with you guys, this year, it's been a tough year in investment, in commerce, in migration, in tourism, for our community on both sides of the border. We understand there have been advancements in security that have helped Mexico. Reynosa is not the same city security-wise, from nine months ago. But it has affected our community, our people and our commerce in a significant way,” Peña said.
Peña made his comments at the City of Pharr’s annual Start of the Fresh Produce Season event. He said it is even more important for border leaders to unite in the upcoming year because of the renegotiation of the USMCA trade agreement, Peña said. He called it by its old name, NAFTA.
Peña was introduced by his good friend, Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. Hernandez was fulsome in his praise of Peña.
“He is the best, a leader,” Hernandez said of Peña. “There is no question when he enters the room, not only the way he speaks, the way he carries himself, he is so respectful.”
Hernandez continued: “He speaks the truth at all times. I love people who have integrity. I love people who are honest. If he cannot do something, he will tell you no. I would rather be told no than to be strung along. I am the of the same mindset as you. You have moved your city very aggressively. You have helped us. You have given us information that is valuable to both countries.”
In his remarks from the stage, Mayor Peña said:
“I want to thank Ambrosio for his leadership, for always receiving us with open arms here at the Pharr Bridge. And it's always a pleasure for me to be here at the start of the produce season with all of you, local congressmen, senators, city officials from different municipalities.
“Every single year that we come, we have great news. But I have to be honest with you guys, this year, it's been a tough year in investment, in commerce, in migration, in tourism, for our community on both sides of the border. We understand there have been advancements in security that have helped Mexico. Reynosa is not the same city security-wise, from nine months ago. But it has affected our community, our people and our commerce in a significant way.
“Today, in this region, they’re retrieving visas from a bunch of people when there is no reason to do so. They're attacking public servants. They're accusing a bunch of people of certain different stuff that might or might be lies or not. But they are affecting a lot the family that we have created and nourished here for hundreds of years.
“As (state) Senator (Juan) Hinojosa said, we have families on both sides of the border. Our economy grows together. Our commerce depends on each other, and that is why this year is really important for the development of both sides of the border - because we're about to renegotiate T-MEC, or NAFTA, or whatever you want to call it. They're probably going to change the name next year.
“And that is why I want to ask all of you to be a champion for this region, to raise our voices together on the Mexican side and in the Valley. That way, in D.C. and in Mexico City, they will understand that we work together, that we're a family, and that we can only grow if both sides are doing well.
“That is the reality that we need to face in the next year. And hopefully we'll be able to find the voice with the people that are here, and I'm sure, with the leadership, the leadership of Dr. Ambrosio, that we'll be able to speak out about everything that's going on here at the border in DC, and hopefully we'll be able to carry that message in Mexico City. That way we can come to a just NAFTA agreement that could benefit both sides of the border.
“At the end of the day, what we look forward to as a government is to improve the lives of people in our cities, to create a better future and to deliver a good city and a good country and a better country for the future generations.
“So, hopefully, we'll be able to join forces and join voices in order to raise them in DC and Mexico City this next year. That way we can all have a win-win on both sides of the border. Thank you very much, and I'm happy, as always, to be here.”
