Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, along with Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), have sent a letter to Alicia Bárcena, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, addressing the treatment of Alabama-based Vulcan Materials Company by the Mexican government.
This correspondence comes two years after the Mexican government’s intervention at Vulcan’s Punta Venado deep-water port in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The intervention, deemed illegal by the senators, involved the shutdown of the port and threats from Mexican President Lopez Obrador to take over Vulcan’s operations, despite the company’s 35-year presence in Mexico.
Senator Britt criticized President López Obrador’s actions, citing their impact on both legal and international standards. She emphasized the potential jeopardy to key infrastructure projects in Alabama and the Southeastern United States and called for a resolution that would not damage the U.S.-Mexico relationship further.
“President López Obrador’s conduct threatening Vulcan’s lawful operations in Mexico has consistently been unacceptable and illegitimate under Mexican law and international law,” said Britt. “I will always stand up for Alabama’s and America’s economic and security interests, and I urge the Mexican government to find a constructive path forward.”
Senator Tuberville highlighted Vulcan’s contribution to Alabama’s economy and its long-standing, environmentally responsible operations in Mexico. He expressed concern over the potential harm to U.S.-Mexico bilateral relations due to the Mexican government’s actions.
“Alabama is proud to be home to the world-renowned Vulcan Materials Company,” Tuberville stated. “The Mexican government’s hostility toward Vulcan is unwarranted, and jeopardizes the long-standing bilateral relationship between Mexico and the U.S. I will continue fighting for the prosperity of American businesses, and I hope this situation will be resolved quickly and fairly.”
Senator Hagerty condemned President López Obrador’s actions, citing the broader implications for rule of law, diplomacy, and economic relations in North America. He called on the Biden Administration to take immediate action to address the issue.
“I strongly condemn the actions taken by President López Obrador to illegally seize the lawful assets of Vulcan Materials Company,” Hagerty said. “This unacceptable situation has been met with a strong bipartisan rebuke in the Senate, and I urge the Biden Administration to immediately press the Mexican government to reverse course.”
Senators Britt and Tuberville, along with the Alabama delegation, have been proactive in advocating for Vulcan. In March 2023, the delegation met with Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma to support Vulcan’s position. Following their advocacy, the Mexican military and law enforcement vacated Vulcan’s port facility.
In February 2023, Senator Britt traveled to Mexico City to discuss the escalating tensions with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard and senior U.S. Embassy officials. Vulcan Materials Company, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, remains a key player in this ongoing international dispute.
For more information on this issue, the ongoing investigations, and the senators’ efforts, please refer to official statements from their offices.
