TAPACHULA, Mexico, May 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The presidents of Mexico and Guatemala agreed Friday to boost cooperation on security, infrastructure and economic development to address the causes of migration.

The pledge came during Bernardo Arevalo's first visit to Mexico since taking office in January, for talks with his counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador near the countries' shared border.

The leaders "agreed to strengthen cooperation in security, railway connectivity, human mobility, improvement of local communities, development of customs infrastructure and consular cooperation," a joint statement said.

They expressed their commitment to "address the structural causes of migration" and to collaborate on projects to support communities so that people do not feel the need to leave.

The presidents also agreed to "carry out joint and immediate actions" and to share information to combat drug and people smuggling, the statement said.

Hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants cross the Guatemalan-Mexican border each year heading towards the United States to escape poverty and violence.