MEXICO CITY — Top security officials in the United States and Mexico say they’re plan to create a high-level commission that will give continuity to bilateral efforts in the years beyond each country’s presidential elections.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, in an appearance in Mexico City with his counterpart, Interior Secretary Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, said the commission would be staffed by career personnel not directly impact by appointments from new administrations. Johnson and Chong have met seven times in the four years they’ve each held their post, Johnson said.
"After I leave office in January, and after the administration of [Mexican] President Enrique Peña Nieto leaves office two years from now, we want the relationships that we've built to continue," said Johnson.
Chong and Johnson did not elaborate on the composition or role of the commission. Johnson says that, most recently, the U-S has offered Mexico help on internal security issues. The country is facing its highest murder rate in years.
