As has been reported, on September 7, an earthquake of 8.2 degrees on the Richter scale ravaged the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco, causing the tragic loss of 95 lives, injuring hundreds and causing severe property damage. In addition, Hurricane Katia recently struck Mexico, with significant damage in the state of Veracruz.
Given this situation, the Mexican government will channel all available logistical support to the families and communities that have been affected in Mexico and has informed the Texas and U.S. governments that, unfortunately, on this occasion, it won’t be possible to provide the assistance originally offered to Texas in late August in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
This decision is due to the fact that conditions in both countries have changed and that Texas’s need for assistance has fortunately diminished.
As soon as the Mexican government became aware of the emergency situation in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey, it offered the state and federal governments any assistance and collaboration that could be provided by Mexican government agencies to help in the aftermath of the hurricane.
On August 27, Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray spoke with Texas Governor Greg Abbott over the telephone to express our solidarity and discuss specific assistance. On August 28, a diplomatic note was sent to the U.S. State Department detailing Mexico’s offer in terms of support personnel, technical equipment and supplies.
On September 6, the Foreign Ministry received a communication from the U.S. embassy in Mexico, which included a letter from the Texas Secretary of State accepting the aid and saying that, of the original list proposed by Mexico, they would only need some logistical support. Judging by the closure of most of the shelters located in the Houston area and from communication with Texas officials, it seems that, fortunately, the current need for aid has declined considerably.
The Mexican government takes this opportunity to thank Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his message of solidarity with Mexico after the September 7 earthquake.
In addition, the Mexican government expresses its full solidarity with Florida given the severe damage done by Hurricane Irma. Mexico will be alert to developments related to this hurricane in the coming days and hopes that Florida, Texas and Louisiana soon recover from the damage caused by the hurricanes that have struck them.