Maru Campos made history in 2016 when elected the first woman mayor of Chihuahua, Mexico and again in June when elected the first woman governor of Chihuahua. She was sworn in Wednesday with New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes, New Mexico Department of Transportation Director of Public Service Joseph De La Rosa and New Mexico Border Authority Executive Director Marco A. Grajeda in attendance. Courtesy/Mexico Daily Post
STATE News:
- New Mexico eyes strong ties with Mexico through global trade
SANTA FE – Two high-ranking officials from the administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham are in the Mexican state of Chihuahua for the swearing-in ceremony and inauguration of Gov. Maria Eugenia Campos Galván (better known as Maru Campos) and to attend events to improve cross-border trade relations.
New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes and Joseph De La Rosa, New Mexico Department of Transportation Director of Public Service, said the visit to Chihuahua, Mexico will further relations between the communities, help recruit new businesses to the Border Region, and create jobs that benefit New Mexicans.
“Global trade and economic development along New Mexico’s international border are a priority for Gov. Lujan Grisham,” Secretary Keyes said. “As businesses continue to face challenges with their global supply chain, we know that the international Border Region of New Mexico and Chihuahua offers unique logistical advantages. These in-person meetings with officials and business leaders are key to bringing better jobs and economic security to this region and to Southern New Mexico.”
“NMDOT was honored to attend the swearing in ceremony of the new governor of Chihuahua, Maru Campos,” DeLaRosa said. “We understand the importance of cross-border transportation to the economies of both of our states and look forward to working with our new counterparts in Chihuahua.”
Campos, an attorney with a master’s degree in Latin American Studies and Government, was elected Governor of Chihuahua in June and was sworn in Wednesday evening. Campos also has served in the state Legislature, as mayor of the municipality of Chihuahua, and is now set to be the first woman governor of Chihuahua.
Both Keyes and De La Rosa arrived in Mexico Tuesday. Keyes toured manufacturing facilities and has a full schedule of meetings in El Paso, Santa Teresa, Sunland Park, Las Cruces and Juárez, Mexico. New Mexico Border Authority Executive Director Marco A. Grajeda also is part of the delegation.
New Mexico led all 50 states in 2019 export growth percentage at 31 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Census. New Mexico’s exports to Mexico were close to $2.2 billion in 2020 with much of that traveling through the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, which is processing a record number of commercial vehicles this year.