Mexico's Forceful Takeover of US Facility Draws Outrage of Senators

Mexico has seized the Alabama-based Vulcan Materials port facility at Punta Venada Quintana Roo, which has received criticisms from U.S. officials, including Sen. Katie Britt.

Britt's office described the move as "Mexico's militarized seizure," noting that U.S. President Joe Biden should discuss the matter directly with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Britt said that Lopez Obrador must assure the American public that it "will not be tolerated," according to Alabama Media Group.

Vulcan told the media outlet in a statement that the company has been in NAFTA arbitration with Mexico since last 2018 about its investments there.

In 2022, Mexico said it was negotiating the settlement of a $1.1 billion lawsuit by Vulcan over an effort to shutter the quarry, while Lopez Obrador has accused the company of extracting materials without the required permits.

Vulcan CEO J. Thomas Hill noted in a letter addressed to Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragan that the recent activity is "another example of the government's arbitrary and illegal treatment of Vulcan and its investments in Mexico."

U.S. Officials Slam Mexico Seizure

Britt went on to say that Mexico should focus on going after the cartels rather than those doing business by the law and are the hardworking people behind it.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville also blasted the move on Twitter, saying that the Mexican government has "undermined Vulcan's ability to operate in Mexico," as reported by The Hill.

Tuberville said that the seizure was the "latest example of the Mexican government exploiting" the U.S. president's "weakness."

Britt added that the incident is "hamstringing" important American infrastructure, energy, and other construction projects that currently rely on Vulcan's operations in Mexico for materials.

Vulcan Materials have since argued with Lopez Obrador over its operations in the country.

Vulcan Materials Vs. Mexico

Vulcan said in a statement to Associated Press News that the rule of law is "no longer assured for foreign companies in Mexico."

The company went on to say that Mexico's "invasion" violated Vulcan's commercial and property rights.

Police and marines first occupied the property last Tuesday, with the forces still occupying the area until Monday.

Lopez Obrador has been going against the company for years, with his administration needing the dock to get cement and other materials to finish the project under his leadership, which is the Mayan Train.

The Mexican president shut down the stone quarries of the company last May, claiming that it had extracted or exported stone without approval.

Video from the incidents showed a long line of police and military patrol trucks opening a locked gate and entering the property.

Vulcan said that the Mexican military and police did not show any legal paperwork to support their actions.

It added that police officers handled the unloading of cement at the fort facility, which reportedly would be destined for the train project.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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