The top two security officials from the United States visited Mexico City on Wednesday and met with President Enrique Peña Nieto to discuss how to address transnational organized crime, regional security and economic cooperation.
CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly were joined by Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican who sits on the Senate select committee on intelligence, in the meeting.
Peña Nieto emphasized his government’s willingness to collaborate on fighting organized crime with the goal of keeping the region safe, according to a statement from his office.
“It was emphasized that it’s important for authorities from both countries to work together to fight against transnational organized crime, focusing on a shared responsibility that both nations have acknowledged,” the statement said.
The visit comes as Mexico is seeing some of its bloodiest months since the country began a war against drug traffickers a decade ago. Government statistics say more than 11,000 people were murdered here during the first five months of the year.