Mexico's ambassador to the United States says those concerned about deteriorating relations between the two neighbors need to speak up.
At an event organized by the Arizona-Mexico Commission, Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez said he came to Phoenix to emphasize that his country and its government "value its relationship with Arizona."
He’s reaching out to border state governors like Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to deal with what he calls a “critical” stage in relations.
"This is a good time for those of us who believe in the importance of a good relationship between Mexico and the United States, it's a good time to be vocal. It's a good time to raise our voices," said Fernandez. "It's a good time to educate about what the relationship between Mexico and the United States is — and what it's not — about."
Gutierrez had no direct criticism of the Trump administration even as President Donald Trump has lashed out at Mexico and Mexicans for sending drugs and criminals across the international border — and taking jobs through an unfair North American Free Trade Agreement.