Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente met yesterday with US gun violence victims and activists led by John Lindsay-Poland, who coordinates the "Stop US Arms to Mexico" project.
The Secretary expressed his condolences to the victims of this violence and reaffirmed Mexico's commitment to stop the flow of firearms and the devastating effects of their irresponsible sale.
Secretary De la Fuente also emphasized the need to work on a more effective communication strategy that raises awareness about the harmful effects of this issue on communities in both countries.
The group of victims and activists said that approximately 45,000 people die annually in the United States from firearms, that more than 1.3 million people have been wounded by firearms since the Sandy Hook massacre in December 2012, and that weapons sold in the United States claim victims in both countries.
The activists noted that Mexico's lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers in Boston and Tucson represent an innovative approach and a step forward in the fight against illicit arms trafficking. They considered it a precedent of the utmost importance that the issue has gained visibility at the US Supreme Court level, challenging the immunity that protects the arms industry and helping to hold them accountable to citizens.
The meeting participants stressed the importance of addressing gun violence through a public health approach that includes mental and emotional health as a central component, as well as from a public security perspective. They agreed that the first step to combat organized crime in Mexico is to stop the supply of weapons from the United States.
Secretary De la Fuente and the US victims and activists committed to continuing their dialogue for the benefit of both peoples.
The Secretary was accompanied by Foreign Ministry Legal Advisor Pablo Arrocha Olabuenaga, Deputy Legal Counsel "A" Miguel Ángel Reyes Moncayo, and Director of Litigation on Privileges and Immunities Fadia Ibrahim Nader.
