BROWNSVILLE HAS BEEN VERY, VERY GOOD TO MEXICAN CONSUL

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

In 2016, when Juan Carlos Cué Vega  was named the new Mexican Consul  in Brownsville, he made the rounds of local government entities promising to be an advocate for good relations between his country and the border communities in Texas.

However, as time goes on, residents on both side of the Rio Grande say that more and more it appears that Cué Vega has been keeping himself busy looking out after this own economic interest than for the plight of his fellow citizens who consider him missing in action (MIA).

Cué Vega made himself known officially in 2016 holding informal contacts with the media assuring them that his first responsibility was with the Mexican community abroad, and reminding them that he was returning to the consulate that gave him his first opportunity to be part of the Mexican foreign service.

"I find myself at the head of a dynamic and active consulate, a professional team to respond to the demands of this border,” he asserted during a meeting with media representatives.

"My intention is to maintain a consulate with an open door to receive concerns and complaints to serve the community at all times, where it seeks to exercise the rights of Mexicans to a greater extent.

"All the issues are important, for this reason the efforts of the consulate will always be directed to follow-up on the issues of abuse, minors, those who are vulnerable, and will maintain all those programs that assist some of our fellow citizens, including to be present in prisons where Mexicans are kept in cells."

That would come as a surprise to Mexican nationals held in local jails who have yet to see Cué Vega anywhere near the correctional facilities.

And local residents from both sides of the river say that he has also been MIA from events between Brownsville and Matamoros, including just last August, when he was absent from the introduction of Mr. Amigo at the Secretariat of Foreign Relations in Mexico City, which, incidentally, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, did attend.

"This is one of those events where his presence is almost mandated and he was nowhere to be seen," said a Brownsville elected official. "No one knew where he was. In contrast, Brianna Powers, the U.S. consul in  Matamoros is seen everywhere meeting with local officials, even attending a few quinceañeras."

But Cué Vega has been very busy delving into local real estate, including his 2020 purchase and rental of a spacious  house on 328 Creekbend, in the Land O'Lakes Subdivision, a money-making endeavor frowned upon by the Mexican government, which provides him with housing (113 Shoreline Drive), maid and gardener service for the house, and transportation complete with a chauffeur. His salary is listed in the Mexican government records at approximately $20,000 a month.

This stands out in stark contrast to the $207 pesos ( about $11 US ) daily for workers across Mexico, and of $312 (about $17 US) pesos along the norther border with the United States.

Records show that the Cameron County Appraisal District had the Creekbend residence appraised at almost $300,000. It is unknown what the renter is paying monthly. 

"The speculation in real estate or other commercial activities at the place of their service is prohibited by the Mexican consulate service," according to a Mexican official. "That is so that consulate personnel won't be compromised by their own personal interests in the performance of their duties."

When he introduced himself to Brownsville and Matamoros residents Cué Vega said he recognized that the problems of the border are different from other areas, and pledged he would work together with the corresponding authorities to carry out the pertinent actions for the benefit of this community in the valley region.

He expressed that he had taken command of the local consulate and told Mexican media representatives that he would hold meetings with representatives of various local organizations and soak up the current situation of the community to continue to offer the consulate's service to the community, establishing this as his highest priority.

"He talked a good game then, but with September 16, Mexican Independence Day, coming, we'll see whether he will be a no-show there, too," the official said.