A note from Tony Garza

Welcome to Perspectives, one of the ways I look forward to staying in touch with you on issues of mutual interest and importance.

U.S.-Mexico relations remain of paramount concern and interest for me. The regional security challenges posed by the transnational cartels necessitate swift, deliberate and personal engagement from President Obama and his Administration, and—quite frankly—they must be willing to show leadership on trade issues, as well.

It's a promising sign that on the heels of next week's visit to Mexico by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that President Obama will spend two days in Mexico City, April 16-17. I'm hopeful that these visits will allow our two countries to cut through much of the unfortunate rhetoric of late and refocus the relationship where it should be—on one of partnership based on mutual respect.

In my recent Op-ed column, first published in the Dallas Morning News, I argue that U.S. business, economic and political interests are intrinsically tied to Mexico. The piece was published in a number of state and national media outlets on both sides of the border, including Excelsior and The Miami Herald.

The U.S./Mexico partnership should be about addressing the shared challenge of creating prosperity in the region, furthering economic integration and defeating the drug cartels that threaten the safety and security of good and decent people on both sides of the border.

I can be reached through my Web site. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of help to you.

With best wishes, I am,

Sincerely,

Tony Garza

Op-ed: Be wary of talk of Mexico as a failed state

Unfortunately, talk of Mexico in the United States these days has turned increasingly to a debate over our neighbor's viability as a nation. By doing so we are fueling a perception that is neither accurate, nor constructive.

Failed states do not have functioning executive, legislative and judicial branches. They do not boast the world's 12th largest economy, nor do they trade with the United States at a pace of more than $1 billion a day. And, failed states do not demonstrate — as President Felipe Calderon has done — the political will to take on the transnational cartels that threaten the region's security and the courage to sustain that fight until victory is secured.

President Barack Obama should prioritize the U.S.-Mexico relationship and place a premium on bolstering our already strong partnership with the Mexican government and its people... Read the full op-ed here.