The Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo announced Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino as the recipient of the prestigious Ohtli Recognition 2023 during a recent recognition.
The event was held at the Mexican Cultural Institute of Laredo during a press conference to announce the Grito de Independencia of Mexico celebrations.
The Consul General of Mexico in Laredo, Juan Carlos Mendoza Sánchez, said that on Sept. 15, the traditional Cry of Independence will be held in El Portal in front of The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo. The Ohtli Recognition is presented that same day in a special ceremony.
“We are pleased to announce that the government of Mexico accepted the Consulate’s proposal to award Dr. Víctor Trevino with the Ohtli Recognition for his contributions as a Medical Authority during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for his work in the Cross-Border Vaccination Program,” he said.
Mendoza Sánchez said that the Ohtli Recognition is the most important recognition that the Mexican Foreign Ministry presents through the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior. In this way, the government of Mexico shows its gratitude and recognition to those people who have contributed to the well-being of the Mexican communities.
“’Ohtli’ is a Nahautl word meaning path,” he said. “In other words, we celebrate those who open the way for Mexicans so that those who come are successful, assimilate and provide contributions in the community where they are going to settle.”
Mendoza Sanchez explained that the Cross-Border Vaccination Program was a very important program that had the valuable recommendations of Trevino.
“We were the border city that applied the most vaccines and the recommendations of Trevino as Health Authority were essential,” he said. “It was a very important program in which Mexicans were vaccinated in three stages and we closed with nearly 300,000 vaccinations applied.”
Mendoza Sanchez also thanked the customs authorities of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, public officials, community leaders, and Victor Trevino Jr. for developing the logistics to apply the vaccines.
“Thank you very much on behalf of the government of Mexico and Mexicans from the bottom of our hearts,” Mendoza Sanchez said.
Trevino said it was an honor to accept the award.
“I receive this recognition on behalf of all the people who participated in these efforts, and above all on behalf of the people who suffered from this disease and those who, unfortunately, died,” he said.
Trevino added that the joint efforts took Los Dos Laredos from being one of the most infected cities by COVID-19 in the United States and Mexico, to be one of the most vaccinated cities in both countries.
“I thank all the people who helped and the efforts that were made,” he said. “This spreads the message that we are a very strong community.”
Trevino said that COVID-19 still exists as cases continue to appear, but fortunately there are many people vaccinated and therefore there is more immunity, but vaccinations must continue.
“All these efforts mean we have to be on the same page,” he said. “Laredo and Nuevo Laredo have always been the same community. Since Laredo was founded there have been different governments, borders, entities, but the people are still the same. That is why we have to take care of each other, we have to function in a common effort toward the future and the progress of these two cities.
“We have to move on, that is why I accept the recognition with pride and appreciation, but I take it on behalf of all who participated in this effort.”
Mendoza Sanchez finally invited the entire community to attend the Grito de Independencia festivities where there will be dance groups, folkloric ballets, mariachis, singers and artists from Los Dos Laredos.
The celebrations for the Cry of Independence will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15.
