Mexico consul general leaving Arizona

By Ruben Hernandez

 After three years of helping the Mexican community in Arizona, Victor Manuel Treviño Escudero will be replaced as consul general of Mexico by the Mexican government.

 Treviño Escudero took over the position in May 2010, during a controversial time in which the 1070 state law on immigration went into effect. This law caused tensions and strained relations between Arizona and Mexico. After SB 1070, The Mexican government issued warnings for Mexicans in Arizona, and once cancelled a Mexico-U.S. Border Governors conference in Phoenix.

 The then-new Mexico consul general began a campaign of easing Mexican fears and protecting their existing rights from abuse. Despite the problems, Treviño Escudero played a calming role among the half million strong Mexican community here, and still maintained cordial relations with Arizona government officials and business leaders.

 He is especially respected among the Valley Latino art community for his passion and support for the arts. He regularly attended events at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center, Arizona’s only Latino cultural center.

 Many community leaders expressed sadness at his leaving, and well wishes for his future assignment for the government of Mexico. Treviño Escudero’s new assignment has not yet been announced.

 “He came in at a very difficult time,” said Daniel Ortega, a Phoenix attorney and immigrant advocate, told the Arizona Republic. “The upheaval that (SB 1070) created in our community, he had to deal with.”

 Enrique Pena Nieto, Mexico’s president, announced this week that Treviño Escudero is being replaced by Roberto Rodriguez Hernandez, a 36-year diplomat who is currently the Mexican government director general for the protection of Mexicans aboard, experience that will serve him well in Arizona. He previously served as the consul in El Paso and Nogales, so has some familiarity with Mexican circumstances and treatment in Arizona.

  The Mexican consul general in Phoenix is an important and high-profile position because of issues of cross-border business and tourism, immigration and drug trafficking along the Mexico-Arizona border. The Phoenix consul general also oversees Mexican consulates in Tucson, Yuma and Las Vegas.