61st Abrazo De La Amistad Ceremony Celebrated by Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
The highlight of the 2023 Eagle Pass International Friendship Festival was the 61st Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony celebrated by the City of Eagle Pass, Texas and City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico representatives, dignitaries, and citizens on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the United States-Mexico international boundary line of the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1, renewing the vows of friendship and collaboration between the two sister cities and countries.
The historic and symbolic Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony is sponsored annually by the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council during the Eagle Pass International Friendship Festival with one individual selected as Mr. Amigo representing each country, United States and Mexico.
Eagle Pass banker and community volunteer Larry Martin and Piedras Negras, Coahuila physician Dr. Loth Tipa Mota Natharen were selected as the 2023 Mr. Amigos for the traditional Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony by the local International Good Neighbor Council chapter.
Both Larry Martin and Dr. Mota Natharen exchanged a symbolic Abrazo with each other symbolizing the international friendship and goodwill between the two cities and countries.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. led the Eagle Pass and American delegation in the 2023 Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony, accompanied by Eagle Pass Mayor Pro-Tem Yolanda P. Ramon, Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu, American Consul Representative Robert Daigle of the Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Office, Mr. Amigo Larry Martin, CBP Chief of Mission Luis Rodriguez, and other local, state, and federal representatives.
Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mayor Norma Trevino Galindo spearheaded the Piedras Negras and Mexican delegation at the 2023 Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony, accompanied by Oscar Fernando Lopez Elizondo representing Coahuila Governor Miguel Angel Riquelme Solis, Mexican Consul Vivian Juarez Mondragon, Mexican Army General Fidel Mondragon Maldonado, Father Juan Armando Lopez Renovato, Delia Karina Trevino Robles representing Coahuila Tourism Director Lucia Azucena Ramos, Diana Isela Tijerina Villarreal of Piedras Negras Tourism, Adriana Reyna Villarreal of Piedras Negras Tourism, Rene Ramirez Villarreal of Piedras Negras Economic Development Director, Mr. Amigo Dr. Loth Tipa Mota Nataren, and other local, state, and federal representatives.
The International Good Neighbor Council President Master Graciela Castaneda Dominguez and Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council President Ana Margarita Sanchez de Galindo were also present at the Abrazo ceremony as host of the event.
Piedras Negras Mayor Norma Trevino Galindo stated Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass are one and the same community forged by the majestic waters of the Rio Grande and common trade, economic, infrastructure, cultural, and educational values and goals. Mayor Trevino Galindo congratulated 2023 Mr. Amigos Dr. Loth Tipa Mota Nataren and Larry Martin on their outstanding leadership and charitable work in both communities. She also congratulated the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council for hosting this salient event of friendship and goodwill.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. stated the Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony is symbolic of the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras friendship and common bonds between the two communities. Mayor Salinas added the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras communities share common cultural, educational, economic, and trade goals. He noted the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras border is the safest on the U.S.-Mexico border due to mutual collaboration by both cities. He congratulated the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council for renewing the friendship and common bonds between the two cities and countries by hosting annually the Abrazo ceremony.
Following the symbolic Abrazo de la Amistad exchanged by 2023 Mr. Amigos Dr. Loth Tipa Mota Nataren and Larry Martin, presidium members also exchanged symbolic Abrazos to renew the vows of friendship and goodwill between both cities and countries.
Piedras Negras Mayor Norma Trevino Galindo and the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Council hosted a dinner for Abrazo ceremony attendees at the beautiful Paseo del Rio in Piedras Negras, Coahuila.
