Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras celebrate Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony at U.S.-Mexico border

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The international sister cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico and its public dignitaries and citizens celebrated their 52nd Annual Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony at the United States-Mexico boundary line atop the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 on Friday, March 21, 2014, proclaiming and renewing their international friendship and social and economic interdependence.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu was joined by Congressman Pete P. Gallego, State Representative Poncho Nevarez on behalf of Texas Governor Rick Perry, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo, U.S. Consul Representative James Jimenez, Bishop James Tamayo of the Archdiocese of Laredo, Mr. Amigo Rodolfo Barrera, and Mistress of Ceremony Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Wright at the dais in representing the United States at the traditional Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony. The Eagle Pass Police Department Color Guard presented the Unites States colors at the ceremony.

Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mayor Fernando Puron Johnston was accompanied by Coahuila Secretary of Economic Development Jose Antonio Gutierrez on behalf of Coahuila Governor Ruben Moreira Valdez, Bishop Alonso Garza Trevino of the Archdiocese of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja, Mr. Amigo Father Jose Guadalupe Valdez, Mexican Army General Juan Francisco Aboytes, International Good Neighbor Council International President Ismael Aguirre and Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council President Dr. Monica Magana. Soldiers from the Mexican Army Post at Piedras Negras, Coahuila presented the Mexican Colors at the ceremony.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu renewed Eagle Passans’ friendship and respect for their brothers and sisters from Piedras Negras, Coahuila and the strong bonds and ties that unite the people of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras since their founding in 1849. Mayor Cantu also quoted Mexican Nobel Laureate Poet Octavio Paz to demonstrate how all persons speak the same universal language despite not speaking the same language.

Piedras Negras Mayor Fernando Puron Johnston stated that both Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass enjoy a long friendship and interdependence since many generations and how both communities are referred to when speaking about one or the other community. Mayor Puron Johnston welcomed the past, present, and future relationship between Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass and their citizens’ commitment to work together to improve the quality of life for everyone on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Mayor Puron Johnston also stated that the future of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras is very bright with the imminent development of the Eagle Ford Shale in northern Coahuila and Mexico.

Mr. Rodolfo “Fito” Barrera was honored as Mr. Amigo on behalf of Eagle Pass while Father Jose Guadalupe Valdez was named Mr. Amigo on behalf of Piedras Negras.

Over 300 persons attended the traditional Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony at the U.S.-Mexico international boundary line of the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1. on a beautiful sunny, blue sky day on March 21st.

Following the Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony, the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras dignitaries and citizens in attendance were hosted to a dinner at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade.