Annotations for Speaker: Lakshmi Singh

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.

For Latino USA, I'm Lakshmi Singh in Washington.