Germany, Mexico seek closer cooperation against organized crime

Germany and Mexico agreed to strengthen cooperation against organized crime and drug trafficking on Thursday as officials from both countries met for their first bilateral commission talks in seven years.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco chaired the meeting of the German-Mexican Binational Commission in Mexico City, which brought together representatives from several government ministries.

Wadephul said combating organized crime should be a top priority in bilateral cooperation, citing growing concern in Germany and Europe over rising drug consumption and the transnational operations of drug trafficking networks.

The German minister said criminal groups were operating effectively across continents, enabling large quantities of drugs to reach European markets, and that both countries were exploring ways to improve cooperation against such networks.

The meeting also covered economic ties, sustainable development, water management and the energy transition.

Velasco described relations between Mexico and Germany as among the strongest and most diverse between Europe and Latin America.

Mexico, home to about 130 million people, is Latin America's second-largest economy and an important manufacturing hub due to its proximity to the United States and its participation in the North American free trade framework with the US and Canada.

More than 2,000 companies with German capital operate in Mexico. The country is Germany's largest trading partner in Latin America. 

German carmakers, auto-parts manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, chemical producers and logistics firms have long maintained a presence in the country.

Wadephul is scheduled to meet representatives of German businesses and Mexican Finance Minister Édgar Amador on Friday before visiting a facility operated by German pharmaceutical and technology group Merck.

The foreign minister had begun his visit to Mexico with a stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the world's largest Catholic pilgrimage sites, receiving a blessing from priest Victor Torres, spiritual leader of the Archconfraternity of Guadalupe.