US and Mexico strengthen cooperation on border security

The commander of the United States Northern Command, General Greg Guillot, visited Mexico to meet with senior officials from the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) and the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar). The meetings occurred on July 22 in Veracruz.

Bilateral security cooperation

Guillot met with the head of the Sedena, General Ricardo Trevilla, and with the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales. The US embassy described the meetings as progress in the defense relationship between both countries.

Among the topics addressed are specialized training in special operations and against organized crime, the exchange of information, and cooperation to counter unmanned aerial systems. The North American Maritime Security Initiative was also reviewed.

“The security of North America depends on the strength of its alliances and the ability of its members to act with common objectives,” said General Guillot.

Both nations reiterated their commitment to expanding cooperation, respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity and shared responsibility for security.

Key points from the third round

Between July 21 and 23, Mexico and the United States held the third round of negotiations towards the review of the T-MEC. The central issues were tariffs, labor mechanisms, regional content and rules for sectors such as automotive, steel and aluminum.

The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), José Medina Mora, explained that it was proposed to modify the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism to make it reciprocal. Currently, the investigations only apply to companies in Mexican territory.

“It is necessary that the mechanism be applied equitably between both countries,” said Medina Mora.

Another point of discussion was the United States’ intention to increase American content in products made in the region. Mexico defends the concept of regional content and rejects changes that reduce trilateral integration.

The leader added that the seasonality of agricultural products and the impact of tariffs on steel, aluminum and the automotive industry were also reviewed. Some US automakers in Mexico face higher export costs compared to competitors from Japan, Korea and Europe.

For his part, the president of Coparmex, Juan José Sierra, expressed uncertainty regarding the possibility of annual reviews of the treaty, but valued the dialogue between the partners. He indicated that Mexico requires strengthening legal and energy security and the conditions to attract investment.

“It is positive that communication continues, but we need certainty for investors,” said Sierra.

Concamin pointed out that the joint statement between the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, confirms that both countries maintain an institutional work path.

The National Housing Commission (Conavi) launched the 2026 call for the Housing for Well-being Program. The objective: to facilitate access to a decent home for low-income families. Registration will be from July 20 to August 2, in modules installed in 26 entities.

Requirements and financing

The scheme adjusts the monthly payments to the family income, so that the payments are accessible. It is aimed at those who cannot access traditional mortgage loans. Those interested must comply: not have their own home, not have current credit from Infonavit, Fovissste or another institution, and receive less than 17,800 pesos per month. Official identification, CURP, proof of address and income are also required.

Participating municipalities

The modules will only be in locations where Conavi will build projects in 2026. Among them: La Paz (Baja California Sur); Champotón (Campeche); Tapachula and Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Chiapas); Aquiles Serdán (Chihuahua); Piedras Negras and San Pedro (Coahuila); Gómez Palacio (Durango); Axapusco and Cuautitlán Izcalli (State of Mexico); Comonfort, Dolores Hidalgo, Pénjamo, San Diego de la Unión, San Luis de la Paz and Tarimoro (Guanajuato); Acapulco de Juárez, Chilpancingo de los Bravo, Coyuca de Benítez and Técpan de Galeana (Guerrero).

The list also includes municipalities of Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatán and Zacatecas. Tepic, Xalisco, Puebla, Tehuacán, Tulum, San Luis Potosí and Valladolid stand out.

The program seeks to serve those who need it most, in a context where access to housing continues to be a challenge for millions of Mexicans.