Interior Secretariat Santiago Creel said he will complain to Michael Chertoff, head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, when they meet at the upcoming three nations summit about offensive language and sentiments expressed by U.S. public officials toward Mexico. Creel said he will also insist on the need for an agreement that legalizes all Mexicans who are working in the United States.
The comments Creel especially took offense to came from Central Intelligence Agency Director Porter J. Goss, who referred to Mexico as America's "back yard."
Creel said the language was "reprehensible".
"We are not going to let our relationship get that low with this kind of language," he said.
Creel reminded the United States of the recent collaboration between the two countries that helped combat terrorism and organized crime.
He said that he would also criticize the United States for its discrimination and abuse of human rights of Mexican immigrants.
"I will always defend Mexico's interests, independently of U.S. reactions or effects it has on the United States."
