Mexico-U.S. ties at critical stage, says Mexican official

Relations between Mexico and the U.S. are at a critical stage, said Geronimo Gutierrez, nominee for Mexican ambassador to the U.S., when talking with lawmakers.

Gutierrez, former deputy minister of foreign affairs for North America and a prominent defender of NAFTA, said that any deepening of the current crisis could lean to a "major derailment."

Speaking to lawmakers of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), Gutierrez said that dialogue had to be maintained as there is "the possibility of building a far better relationship."

On Thursday, Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto submitted the candidacy of Gutierrez as Mexican ambassador to the U.S. to the Senate, adding that he had the approval of the U.S. government.

Speaking to the senators, Gutierrez admitted that he would not accept the responsibility of representing Mexico without believing he could seek a closer relationship with the U.S.

"I am fully aware that there may be no changes...that go against the national interest," he added.

However, while Gutierrez said the relationship was currently "atypical," he said that "the level of evolution seen in bilateral ties in recent years cannot be understated."

Gutierrez has been a public official in the last four Mexican governments, holding positions in the ministries of commerce, finance, foreign affairs, and national security.

His last role was as managing director of the North American Development Bank in San Antonio, Texas, which was created within the NAFTA deal. Enditem