Yucatan and U.S. Forge Strategic Partnership for Growth

The government of Joaquín Díaz Mena has reaffirmed its commitment to a strategic partnership with the United States, focusing on areas such as security, sustainability, economic growth, connectivity, and infrastructure. The aim is to work collaboratively for the welfare of families in both nations.

In a meeting with U.S. embassy representatives, led by Mark Johnson, the governor emphasized Yucatan's readiness to attract foreign investment. The region's geographical location makes it an ideal logistical hub for nearshoring.

Díaz Mena highlighted the Mayan Renaissance proposal, which aims to promote shared prosperity through development projects. These include modernizing the Altura de Progreso port to accommodate larger cargo ships and cruises, and linking the Maya Train with the port of Progreso. This would facilitate the transfer of goods from the Transisthmian train to the east coast of the United States, a significant trading partner for Yucatan.

The governor also mentioned plans for Well-being Poles with natural gas to provide companies with lower-cost energy, a Metropolitan Ring of Merida to reduce city traffic, and an airport expansion to improve connectivity. "We are certainly open to U.S. investments interested in these upcoming infrastructure opportunities," he stated.

The governor outlined the areas of joint cooperation, which include environment, security, economic growth, nearshoring, and agro-industrial strengthening. He also highlighted the Yucatan Verde program. This initiative encompasses coastal area development, competitive electric power, promotion of natural gas, wind and solar potential, green hydrogen production, security professionalization, technology investment, support for local artisans, and English language proficiency enhancement.

Mark Johnson acknowledged Yucatan as a safe and economically developed state, respectful of its people, and an excellent place to visit and live.

Also present at the meeting were Loren Bridges – Robaugh, regional security chief of the US consulate in Merida; Giovana Cabrera, political affairs specialist of the consulate; Patricia Olivares, coordinator of public diplomacy of the consulate; Monica Ruvalcaba, protocol of the consulate; along with the head of the Secretary of Public Security (SSP), Luis Felipe Saidén Ojeda; the general coordinator of advisers, Dafne López Martínez; the deputy secretary of innovation of the Secretary of Research, Innovation and Higher Education (SIIES), Alpha Tavera Escalante; the coordinator of International Affairs, Emmanuel Cortez González; and the deputy secretary of investment and economic development of Sefoet, Roger Góngora García.