62nd Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony Honors Rich Cultural and Economic Ties between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
The United States-Mexico border sister cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico celebrated the 175th Anniversary of the founding of Eagle Pass in 1849 by hosting the 62nd Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the international boundary line of the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 in Eagle Pass, Texas, honoring the rich cultural, social, and economic ties between the two communities.
The Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras Chapter of the International Good Neighbor Council sponsored the Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony for the 62nd time in recent history to highlight the unique friendship and relationship enjoyed between the two border cities and its residents.
The Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony was the highlight of the Eagle Pass International Friendship Festival celebrated during March 22-31, 2024.
Named as the distinguished Mr. Amigos for the 2024 Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony were Eagle Pass attorney Ricardo Ramos and Piedras Negras Certified Public Accountant Rodolfo Valdez Guillen, said Ana Margarita Sanchez, President of the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Chapter of the International Good Neighbor Council. Both Ramos and Valdez were respectively selected for their outstanding contributions to the twin border cities and fostering friendship and goodwill between the two communities.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. welcomed all distinguished dignitaries and guests to the 62nd Anniversary of the Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony, noting the 175th Anniversary of the founding of Eagle Pass in 1849. Salinas stated Eagle Pass supports its sister city of Piedras Negras, Coahuila in all of its cultural, social, and economic activities between the two cities.
Representing Piedras Negras Mayor Norma Lucille Trevino Galindo was her son, Franco Gonzalez Trevino, President of the Piedras Negras DIF Services. Gonzalez stated Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass have enjoyed a historic friendship and relationship since 1824 when both communities were part of Coahuila-Texas within the Republic of Mexico. Gonzalez noted the two cities are one community sharing families, history, culture, and economic ties that binds the two communities.
Following the remarks made by the speakers, the traditional Abrazo de la Amistad between the two Mr. Amigos, Ramos and Valdez, accompanied by Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras dignitaries, celebrated one another with a symbolic friendship hug, signifying the rich cultural and economic ties that binds the two border cities and their citizens.
Among the dignitaries present at the dais of the Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony were Mr. Amigos Ricardo Ramos and Rodolfo Valdez Guillen, Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr., Piedras Negras Mayoral Representative Franco Gonzalez, Trevino, U. S. Deputy Consul Robert Daigle, Consul of Mexico at Eagle Pass Vivian Juarez Mondragon, International Good Neighbor Council President Graciela Castaneda, Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Chapter of the International Good Neighbor Council President Ana Margarita Sanchez, Coahuila Commission for Bilateral Relations between Coahuila and Texas Juan Carlos Lopez Reynoso , Piedras Negras Catholic Diocese Bishop Alonso Gerardo Garza Trevino, Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu, and others.
Following the Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony, a dinner reception was held for dignitaries and guests at the Eagle Pass International Center for Trade.
The Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony is the crown jewel of the Eagle Pass International Friendship Festival held annually.
