Mexico retaliates against Canada visa restrictions

July 27 2009 by Matt Jones

Mexicans wait in line for Canada visa

Canadian diplomats and officials are to require visas to enter Mexico after the Mexican government changed their visa laws in response to Canada immigration restrictions on their country earlier this month.

Mexican foreign secretary Patricia Espinosa said the restriction would not apply to Canadian tourists, only Canadian functionaries.

She said: “We would not like in any way to endanger the flow of people between the two countries.”

Critics and experts believe Canada has sparked a 'visa war’. This view has been reinforced by the Mexican retaliatory action.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon tried to calm the situation by saying that the Canada Visa restrictions are not likely to be permanent.

Cannon said: "We will be working... to find a way to be able to eventually lift the visa requirement. What needs to be said here clearly is that we are not looking for difficulties with our allies... Nothing in this situation would lead to believe that there is a permanency."

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