Mexican Senate passes bill to limit foreign agents

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO (AA) - With 72 votes in favor and 14 against it, lawmakers in the Mexican Senate on Thursday passed a proposed bill to change the national security law.

After two days of deliberation, the Mexican Senate approved the initiative proposed by Mexico’s leader Andres Manuel Lope Obrador, which will see foreign agents in Mexico limited.

The reform states that agents are allowed firearms properly authorized by the department of national security, with the condition that a monthly report is submitted to the foreign and the security and citizen protection departments.

They will not be allowed to apprehend citizens, deprive them of their freedom, break-in into private property, or engage in any activity that violates the Mexican constitution.

Senator Ricardo Monreal Avila emphasized the need for this reform, saying that there are 11 Drug Enforcement Agency offices operating in Mexico, and the number of agencies and field agents active is completely unknown.

The approved proposal will allow foreign agents to temporarily act in the country to exchange vital information and regularize the interaction between state and municipal authorities.

When announcing the initiative, President Lopez Obrador explained there are no clear guidelines about which foreign governments are subjected to.

“There is no clear legal framework. There are rules and laws regarding what members of other governments are allowed to do in their country in, other countries. We want to resolve these and have clear rules. One dependency on the government will oversee the relationship. We must know what type of mission they are carrying out in the country,” said Lopez Obrador.

The bill is pending to be voted by the lower house.