Sewell leads letter to Mexico demanding remedy to treatment of Vulcan Materials

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, AL-07, led Alabama’s House Delegation in a letter to Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena urging her to take action regarding the Mexican government’s mistreatment of Alabama-based Vulcan Materials Company.

Last week marked two years since the Mexican government illegally invaded and shut down Vulcan’s Punta Venado deep-water port in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Since the invasion, Mexican President Lopez Obrador has repeatedly threatened to forcibly take over Vulcan’s port and limestone quarry, forcing their operations out of Mexico, despite the company’s consistent presence in Mexico for more than 35 years.

The letter states in part, “We want to assure you, the Mexican government, President López Obrador, and interested parties; should Vulcan’s land and port be seized, we will use all the powers at our disposal, including legislative remedies, to ensure no entity or individual will benefit from the theft of Vulcan’s property.”

“We call on you to commit to enforce the terms and spirit of our existing free trade agreements and carry out the rule of law,” the representatives continued. “Failure to do so will have profound and lasting impacts on our trade relationship and harm future opportunities to promote shared economic prosperity. We stand ready to work with you to ensure this pattern of harassment is reversed and a beneficial solution is found for all parties involved.”

The letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Jerry Carl, AL-01; Barry Moore, AL-02; Mike Rogers, AL-03; Robert Aderholt, AL-04; Dale Strong, AL-05; and Gary Palmer, AL-06. 

A similar letter was sent by U.S. Senators Katie Britt, R-AL; Tommy Tuberville, R-AL; Bill Hagerty, R-TN; and Tim Kaine, D-VA.

Read the full letter here or below:

Secretary Bárcena:

As Members of the United States House of Representatives, we are writing to inquire about our previous correspondence related to the unlawful treatment of the Vulcan Materials Company in Mexico.

This week marks two years since the Government of Mexico illegally invaded and shut down the lawful operations of Vulcan Materials Company in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Since then, Vulcan has faced near-constant threats and harassment from the government, including from President López Obrador himself. 

The threats have been compounded by multiple military intrusions and occupations of the company’s property, including in March of 2023. These unwarranted and unprecedented actions have chilled our bilateral relationship and harmed infrastructure development in Mexico and the United States.

We want to assure you, the Mexican government, President López Obrador, and interested parties; should Vulcan’s land and port be seized, we will use all the powers at our disposal, including legislative remedies, to ensure no entity or individual will benefit from the theft of Vulcan’s property.

We call on you to commit to enforce the terms and spirit of our existing free trade agreements and carry out the rule of law. Failure to do so will have profound and lasting impacts on our trade relationship and harm future opportunities to promote shared economic prosperity. We stand ready to work with you to ensure this pattern of harassment is reversed and a beneficial solution is found for all parties involved.