US attorney general talks drugs, guns at Mexico meeting

MEXICO CITY – U.S. Attorney General William Barr discussed a range of security-related topics with Mexican officials Thursday, according to a statement from Mexico’s government.

The meeting followed a December visit by Barr and continued the discussion of co-operation on arms trafficking to Mexico and drug trafficking to the U.S. They agreed Thursday to work together to reduce drug consumption and addiction in both countries, the statement said.

Mexican authorities have stepped up its pressure on migrants transiting the country in the past year and in exchange demanded the U.S. do more to intercept guns and ammunition flowing into Mexico. Last year, Mexico had more homicides than in any year since comparable records have been kept.

Thursday’s meeting came as hundreds of mostly Honduran migrants began crossing Guatemala. A day earlier Mexican officials had said the migrants would not be allowed to continue through Mexico.