Director of Mexico’s war on drugs to address Border Security

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EL PASO – Mexico’s secretary of public security, Genaro García Luna, is scheduled to address the eighth annual Border Security Conference on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), August 15-16.

Luna is in charge of implementing Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s war against drug trafficking and organized crime, which has greatly affected the border region. He is scheduled to give the keynote address on the second day of the conference, which will focus on enhancing security along the U.S.-Mexico border while fostering economic development in both countries.

UTEP president Diana Natalicio told Borderzine,“With its location, student demographics, academic programs, research infrastructure and ties to many Mexican institutions, UTEP offers a splendid setting for sharing perspectives and promoting cross-border conversations on border security issues.”

U.S. Representative Silvestre Reyes (D., El Paso) will also host this year’s conference, entitled “Fostering a new era of U.S.–Mexico collaboration to meet 21st century challenges.”

Panelists will discuss a range of topics during the two-day conference including strengthening economic ties between the two countries and the use of technology to enhance border security.

Among panelists from the university and the border community are also Janice Ayala, the assistant director of operations for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Honorable Francisco Rojas-Gutierrez, majority leader of the Mexican House of Representatives, is also expected to take part in the conference.

UTEP is expected to announce the first day’s keynote speaker later this week, according to organizers. Several hundred persons from the public and private sectors of both countries are expected to attend the conference.

There is no charge for the general public to attend.

Registration is online at https://urevent.utep.edu/ei/getdemo.ei?id=64&s=_1UO0TVCI8&bulk=y.

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