Annotations for Geographic: Mexico

In advance of President Bush's first foreign trip to Mexico later this month, Secretary of State Colin Powell recently met with his Mexican counterpart.

The changes in the U.S.-Mexico relationship may be more attitude than policy. Immigration was a big focus in talks between Secretary of State Colin Powell and Mexico's Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda.

Castaneda says Mexico wants to fight violence along the U.S.-Mexican border. He believes the problem can be minimized with a guest worker program to allow Mexicans to temporarily work for American businesses. Powell agreed immigrant safety is a top priority.

On the issue of Cuba, Powell says the U.S. will maintain sanctions against the Communist Island. Castaneda criticized that U.S. policy as counterproductive. He says Mexico intends to improve its ties with Cuba. These are among several issues expected to dominate discussions between Presidents Bush and Vicente Fox in Mexico February 16.