Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda today discussed Mexico's expanding defense and security leadership role in the region and globally, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.
The two defense leaders met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, during the 12th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas.
In a statement summarizing the meeting, Cook said Carter congratulated Cienfuegos on Mexico's selection to host the 13th CDMA in 2018. Cienfuegos thanked the secretary for his commitment and the resulting advances in the bilateral defense relationship and expressed Mexico's willingness to support the Central American nations, he added.
“Secretary Carter thanked General Cienfuegos for Mexico's increasing contributions to the Inter-American Defense Board, and to advancing the efficacy of the Inter-American Defense System,” the press secretary said. “Secretary Carter and General Cienfuegos noted their support for the North American defense ministerial process to address mutual defense challenges to North America.”