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On behalf of the people of California, and especially Los Angeles County, Governor Gavin Newsom thanked the Mexican government and its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, for their help in dealing with the devastating and catastrophic fires that have ravaged several cities.
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“It is a pride to have the support of the president (Claudia Sheinbaum) and the support of the foreign minister of this new administration. I am not surprised, based on a relationship that goes back many years, particularly with the new president and her familiarity with the state of California,” said Newsom in an interview with Peninsula 360 Press.
The aid, which arrived Saturday afternoon at Los Angeles International Airport, was received by Newsom himself; the Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento, Tonatiuh González; and the Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles, Carlos González Gutiérrez.
Arrive at #LosAngeles the Mexican delegation to join the efforts to extinguish the #fires massive earthquakes that are hitting the region.
📹 Video by Peninsula 360 Press pic.twitter.com/98kVrBt7ct- Peninsula 360 Press (@Peninsula360P) January 11, 2025
“We are so grateful,” Newsom said. “I had the pleasure of being there at her inauguration, and this is what friends do, this is what relationships are about when a friend is in need, being there for each other. We want to be there for the people of Mexico in times of need and disaster. And we are incredibly honored and grateful that the president was willing to send the help that you see behind me, it will be on the lines in the next 24, 36 hours. And we are very, very grateful.”
For her part, the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, reported that a humanitarian aid group from the Government of Mexico has left for California to support the fight against forest fires affecting the southern region of this state.
“At this moment, the humanitarian aid group is leaving for Los Angeles, California. We are a generous and supportive country. Thank you to the team of the DN-III-E Plan of the Ministry of Defense, to the forestry fighters and to Laura Velázquez Alzúa, national coordinator of Civil Protection. You carry with you the courage and heart of Mexico,” the Mexican president detailed on her social networks.
It is worth noting that the mission took off from the Santa Lucía military base at 8:00 a.m. this Saturday in two aircraft belonging to the National Defense Secretariat: a Hercules aircraft and a Sparta.
The team is made up of six civil protection specialists from the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC), 30 forest fire fighters from the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), 32 forest fire specialists from the Defense and two representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE).
Defense Secretary General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said the Mexican delegation that will provide humanitarian aid in California has distinguished itself for its ability to respond to disasters throughout history, since Mexico is located in an area that is also affected by hurricanes, earthquakes and fires, among other disasters.
He recalled that in previous years the Mexican Army applied the DN-III-E Plan to support natural disasters in other countries, such as the passage of Hurricane Katrina, also in a fire that occurred in Chile and recently in Turkey due to an earthquake.
“You have to take good care of yourselves. You know perfectly well that talking about forest fires means talking about many risks. Take good care of yourselves, that is the most important thing. Your family and all of Mexico are waiting for you, we will wait for you. Take good care of yourselves. Nothing is worth more than a person’s life. You are going to support another country and your fellow countrymen,” he said.
For her part, the national coordinator of Civil Protection, Laura Velázquez Alzúa, reported in a joint statement that a special coordination strategy has been designed with the combatants in California.
"We will provide support with a team with extensive experience in fighting forest fires and providing assistance to the population, which has effectively participated in national and international events," he added.
With this effort, the Government of Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to international solidarity and its willingness to provide support in emergency situations. Through collaboration with the California authorities, Mexico once again demonstrates its leadership in disaster management and the protection of the population.
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