Republican presidential candidate John McCain has met with Mexican
President Felipe Calderon for talks on immigration and trade issues.
Their talks also covered bilateral relations as well as a
U.S.-sponsored effort to stem the flow of drugs and guns across the
Mexico border.
The meeting took place Thursday in Mexico City after the Arizona senator toured the Basilica de Guadalupe, a major center of worship for Catholics in the Mexican capital. Senator McCain visited Mexico as part of a trip aimed at showcasing his foreign policy credentials. He also has been highlighting his support for free trade agreements.
McCain traveled to Mexico from Colombia, where he met with President Alvaro Uribe. The Arizona senator supports a U.S. free trade deal between Colombia and the United States, and he has criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama's opposition to the agreement.
Many congressional Democrats say they oppose the deal because of Colombia's often-criticized record on human rights and labor union activity. Bush administration officials have said that failure to adopt the agreement will harm U.S. credibility in Latin America.
Senator Obama has announced plans to visit Europe and the Middle East later this year.
The Obama campaign has confirmed stops in Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Obama has said the trip will give him an opportunity to assess the situation in countries that are critical to U.S. national security, and to consult with friends and allies about common challenges.
His aides would not confirm if the Illinois senator will visit Iraq and Afghanistan.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
The meeting took place Thursday in Mexico City after the Arizona senator toured the Basilica de Guadalupe, a major center of worship for Catholics in the Mexican capital. Senator McCain visited Mexico as part of a trip aimed at showcasing his foreign policy credentials. He also has been highlighting his support for free trade agreements.
McCain traveled to Mexico from Colombia, where he met with President Alvaro Uribe. The Arizona senator supports a U.S. free trade deal between Colombia and the United States, and he has criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama's opposition to the agreement.
Many congressional Democrats say they oppose the deal because of Colombia's often-criticized record on human rights and labor union activity. Bush administration officials have said that failure to adopt the agreement will harm U.S. credibility in Latin America.
Senator Obama has announced plans to visit Europe and the Middle East later this year.
The Obama campaign has confirmed stops in Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Obama has said the trip will give him an opportunity to assess the situation in countries that are critical to U.S. national security, and to consult with friends and allies about common challenges.
His aides would not confirm if the Illinois senator will visit Iraq and Afghanistan.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
