Abrazo Ceremony renews Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras Social, Economic, and Cultural Ties

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016

Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico public dignitaries and citizens celebrated the traditional Abrazo Ceremony on Friday, March 19, 2016, at 5:30 P.M. at the United States-Mexico boundary line at the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1, renewing historic social and economic ties which bind the two international sister cities.

Representing Eagle Pass and the United States were Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, State Representative Alonso “Poncho” Nevarez, American Consul Philip Linderman, County Commissioner Jerry Morales, Mr. Amigo Benjamin “Bennie” Rodriguez, Jonathan Hunt of U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s Office, Daniel Meza of U.S. House of Representative Will Hurd’s Office, and U.S. Customs & Border Protection Assistant Port Director Pete Macias.

Representing Piedras Negras and Mexico were Mayor Fernando Puron Johnston, Coahuila Secretary of Economic Development Jose Antonio Gutierrez Herdon, Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja Macias, City Councilwoman Norma Trevino Galindo, Mr. Amigo Dr. Pedro Vargas Rios, Tourism Director Amanda Terry Mondragon, Mexican Army Colonel Gregorio Romero Ronquillo, International Good Neighbor Council President Carlos Lopez Moncada, and Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council President Maria Trinidad Ibarra.             .

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu welcomed everyone and stated that the Abrazo Ceremony renews social and economic ties between the sister cities of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras. Mayor Cantu added that the goal is to expand opportunities for greater social, economic, commercial, and cultural ties between the two cities and countries they represent.

“In the name of the Eagle Pass City Council and as a community we are willing to work together as one in harmony with representatives of both sister communities for the benefit of this region,” said Mayor Cantu. Cantu also thanked the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council for their dedication and commitment in developing friendship between the two cities.

Piedras Negras Mayor Fernando Puron Johnston stated that friendship and unity between the two cities characterizes the long standing history of both communities.

Mayor Puron Johnston stated that “There should be no barriers or walls that should divide and impede the two cities and communities from growing and prospering together.” Mayor Puron Johnston was referring to Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to build a wall across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mayor Puron Johnston stated Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras will always be sister cities with mutual respect and dignity and continue to expand opportunities between both countries. Mayor Puron Johnston stated Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras will continue working together to building and improving bridges of friendship and cooperation between the two countries of Mexico and the United States.

Mayor Puron Johnston congratulated the International Good Neighbor Council on their outstanding selection of the two Mr. Amigo candidates, Eagle Pass businessman Benjamin “Bennie” Rodriguez and Piedras Negras Dr. Pedro Vargas Rios.

State Representative Alfonso “Poncho” Nevarez congratulated Mr. Amigo Benjamin “Bennie” Rodriguez on his much deserved honor and recognition.

State of Coahuila Secretary of Economic Development Jose Antonio Gutierrez Herdon congratulated the cities of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras for building a strong history of cooperation and development between the United States and Mexico. Secretary Gutierrez Herdon stated that Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras are important gateways of international trade and commerce between the U.S.-Mexico.

U.S. General Consul Phillip Linderman of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico also addressed the audience as well as Mexican Consul General Ismael Naveja Macias.

Mayors Ramsey English Cantu and Fernando Puron Johnston symbolically exchanged the traditional abrazo to demonstrate the friendship and respect between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras.

Mr. Amigos Benjamin “Bennie” Rodriguez and Dr. Pedro Vargas Rios also exchanged the traditional abrazo to kick-off the 2016 International Friendship Festival.

The traditional Abrazo Ceremony is held annually between Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila to celebrate the international friendship, trade, social, economic, and cultural ties that binds and unites the two sister cities at the U.S.-Mexico border.