U.S. - Mexico Security and Defense Roundtable

On October 1st Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexico’s first woman president. She faces daunting challenges including over 30,000 annual homicides and chronic issues with police and justice reform. The United States will also have a change of administrations. The United States must cooperate with Mexico to address its more than 100,000 annual drug overdoses driven by Fentanyl. The need for robust cooperation is greater than ever. Mexico plays a key role in the defense of North America and $1.5 million dollars in commerce crosses the border every minute.

​

Can these two administrations return to a policy of shared responsibility?

​

Rafael Barceló, the Mexican Consul to Tucson, will provide opening remarks followed by a keynote address by General Gregory M. Guillot, the Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, who will then join the roundtable moderated by TCFR board member and UofA Assistant Professor of Practice Michael Burgoyne. 

​

This year’s panelists include:

​

General Gregory M. Guillot
Commander of United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. USNORTHCOM conducts homeland defense, civil support, and security cooperation to defend and secure the United States and its interests. NORAD conducts aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning in the defense of North America.

​

Dr. Raúl Benitez Manaut
Professor and researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and President of the Collective for the Analysis of Security with Democracy (CASEDE).

 

Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera
Professor at George Mason University and author of Los Zetas Inc.: Criminal Corporations, Energy, and Civil War in Mexico. Previously, she was the President of the Association for Borderlands Studies.

​

Mr. Luis Ramírez
President of Ramírez Advisors International, LLC., which focuses on cross-border business and economic development opportunities. He has over 30 years of experience working on U.S. – Mexico border infrastructure projects.

​

There will be a cocktail and social reception following the roundtable in the ENR2 courtyard. Light appetizers and drinks will be served. This will be a great opportunity for members to engage with the panelists, UofA scholars, and other knowledgeable TCFR members.

​

Want to know more about Mexican security issues? Check out these recommended readings:

​

Craig Deare, A Tale of Two Eagles: The US-Mexico Bilateral Defense Relationship

​

T. R. Fehrenbach, Fire and Blood: A History of Mexico

 

Andrew Selee, Vanishing Frontiers: The Forces Driving Mexico and the United States Together

 

Ioan Grillo, El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency

 

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, Los Zetas Inc: Criminal Corporations, Energy, and Civil War in Mexico