Mexico City - President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico expressed his willingness to assist with the recent surge of migrants that prompted the closure of border crossings with the United States. However, he proposed that the U.S. government engage in talks with Cuba and provide additional development aid to the home countries of the migrants.

President López Obrador's comments came following the announcement that a delegation of high-ranking U.S. officials is set to visit Mexico to discuss the enforcement of immigration regulations along the shared border of the two countries.

While confirming the U.S.'s request for Mexico to take more measures to deter migrants at its southern border with Guatemala, President López Obrador emphasized his desire for the United States to increase development aid to the home countries of the migrants and alleviate sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela.

"We are committed to helping, as we always have," said President López Obrador. "Mexico is actively engaged in negotiating agreements with other nations, including Venezuela."

He further stated, "We also seek a resolution for the U.S.'s difficulties with Cuba. We have proposed to President Joe Biden the opening of a U.S.-Cuba bilateral dialogue."

Mexico is apparently prepared to negotiate with Venezuela, a country from which a significant portion of the recent migrant surge originates. This influx has caused U.S. officials to divert immigration officers from two vital Texas border rail crossings, impacting Mexico's economy.

President López Obrador has consistently opposed U.S. sanctions on Cuba, whose citizens are also amongst those seeking asylum at the U.S. border. He has long urged the United States to contribute to initiatives such as tree-planting programs and scholarship and apprentice programs for Central America.

According to President López Obrador, the provision of development aid will help address the underlying reasons behind migration.

This series of Mexico-U.S. meetings occurs against the backdrop of ongoing discussions between Republican and Democratic lawmakers on potential changes to border policies, as part of a broader dialogue concerning U.S. assistance for Ukraine and Israel, two major foreign policy priorities for the White House.

Mexico found itself under increased pressure after the closure of two railroad crossings in Texas earlier this week. U.S. officials redirected personnel from these locations to address the large numbers of migrants crossing the border illegally. Mexican businesses expressed concerns over the trade disruptions caused by these closures.

President López Obrador engaged in a telephone conversation with President Joe Biden on Thursday and both leaders agreed on the necessity for enhanced border enforcement to facilitate the reopening of the crossings, according to White House national security spokesman John Kirby.

Kirby further stated that President Biden tasked Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall to travel to Mexico for discussions with President López Obrador and his team.

"Their visit will primarily focus on addressing the flow of migration and exploring how we can collaborate further," said Kirby during a White House briefing.

The closure of the railroad crossings into Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, drew significant attention from Mexican companies desperate to resume trade activities. Cirilo Castellanos, the head of the Industrial Chamber of Commerce, claimed on social media late Wednesday that a deal had been brokered to reopen the crossings. However, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson quickly refuted these claims, clarifying that the crossings remained closed.

The Mexican Employers' Association decried the closure, characterizing it as a "failure of migration policy." The organization estimated that the situation was causing daily losses of $100 million due to delayed shipments.

Mexico heavily relies on trains from the United States to receive essential corn and soy products for livestock feed. Additionally, auto parts and automobiles are frequently transported through rail networks within Mexico.

As the discussions between Mexico and the United States advance, stakeholders on both sides anticipate positive developments that will address the pressing issues at the border and restore efficient trade operations.