The mayor of Nuevo Laredo, Carmen Lilia Canturosas, participated in the international forum “Beyond Borders: Immigration and the Texas Economy,” organized by the Trade and Border Security Council in collaboration with Texas Lyceum. The event was led by the US ambassador to Mexico, Ronald D. Johnson.
During her speech, Canturosas outlined the logistical and economic advances that, according to the data presented, have consolidated Nuevo Laredo as one of the main land trade hubs in North America. She reported that the city accounts for 40% of trade between Mexico and the United States, with 17,000 daily freight crossings and a trade flow that grew from $88 billion in 1993 to $1.3 trillion in 2023.
The mayor explained that this growth has been supported by projects such as the modernization of customs, the use of digital technology, and the operation of 11 industrial parks. She also highlighted binational programs such as the “Dos Laredos Smart Port” and the “CruzLink” platform, tools aimed at streamlining border trade through IoT technology and real-time data exchange.
In her presentation, she also addressed the relationship with state and federal governments to carry out infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of the International Bridge III, the Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo railway project, the MEX II bypass, and the conversion of the Quetzalcóatl Airport into a logistics center with a capacity of 50,000 tons per year. He also mentioned an investment attraction program focused on nearshoring, with the goal of attracting up to 30 international companies.
The forum also discussed security and migration. Canturosas pointed out that the city has implemented the Industrial Protection Unit, which he says has reduced theft by 35%. He also mentioned the “Héroe Paisano” program, which provides assistance to more than 120,000 migrants per year, and the joint work with UNHCR to operate a shelter with a capacity for up to 500 people.
Finally, she presented a long-term vision to transform Dos Laredos into a model of economic and social integration, with initiatives such as a binational ecological corridor, a border technology hub for startups, and digital logistics corridors that seek to reduce emissions and improve mobility.
The forum established itself as an important space for the analysis of migration policies and cross-border cooperation, with the participation of officials, businesspeople, and specialists from both countries. The mayor’s presence at this event reinforces the role that Nuevo Laredo plays in the economic dynamics between Mexico and the United States.
