LaredoBuzz.Com

City Leaders Share Mexico Trip Outcomes

Laredo, Texas — On Tuesday, May 11, Mayor Pete Saenz and City leaders shared their experience from their recent trip to Mexico with the purpose of meeting with business and political leaders. Main topics of discussion included the Sister Cities Agreement, travel, economic development, tourism, and humanitarian work from Mexico City to smaller towns, such as San Mateo Atenco, Mex. Participants in this trip included Mayor Pete Saenz; City Manager, Robert A. Eads; Council Member for District 2, Vidal Rodriguez; Council Member for District 4, Alberto Torres, Jr.; Council Member for District 5, Ruben Gutierrez, Jr.; Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director, Aileen Ramos; Deputy Fire Chief of EMS, Silvestre Rodriguez; and Airport Director, Jeffrey Miller. While in Mexico, the Mayor and City leaders met with organizations including Instituto Nacional de Migración (INAMI), Aeromar, and the State of Mexico. Main discussions and takeaways from each meeting included:

· INAMI – City leaders met with Dr. Francisco Garduño, INAMI Commissioner, to discuss passenger preclearance procedures at the Laredo International Airport. This would involve having Mexican immigration officers at the local airport to process Mexican immigration documents. In essence, this would increase efficiency for travelers by saving, approximately, half an hour, or more, at the Mexican airport. This would be a pilot program for the Laredo International Airport and the City.

· Aeromar – As the number of travelers have increased from Mexico to Laredo, it is under consideration, to add a fourth and eventual fifth direct flight from the Laredo International Airport to Mexico City and direct Mexican beach destinations. Also, in their efforts to increase tourism in Laredo, City leaders are looking for clearance from the State of Texas and Washington, D.C. to promote vaccine tourism.

· Sister Cities’ Agreement – As another effort to increase tourism and economic development, City leaders are also looking into using a 3,000 square feet facility as a shopping center for tourists. This would include handmade products from artists in Mexico. States such as Zacatecas, Mexico, and Nuevo Leon have agreed to participate in this endeavor. This initiative is pending to be approved by the Laredo City Council on Monday, May 17.

· Fire Truck Donation – Due to a need in training and more resources at the San Mateo Atenco Fire Department, Deputy Fire Chief of EMS, Silvestre Rodriguez, engaged in an assessment and training of the small town’s station. Chief Rodriguez was able to train their team of six firefighters from the San Mateo Atenco Department. In addition, an obsolete City of Laredo fire truck was donated to their fire station, as part of the Sister Cities Agreement with the city of San Mateo Atenco.