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SALT LAKE CITY — A delegation of officials from the Mexican state of Zacatecas arrived in Utah as part of a unique weeklong visit.
The group, which includes the state's governor, was invited by the Federation of United Mexicans in Utah. The nonprofit organizes the annual Tonahuac Awards to recognize local leaders and organizations who have helped the Latino community.
"This is a city that is full of history, that's full of Mexicans and full of Zacatecans," Jose Saldivar, mayor of Gaudalupe, Zacatecas, said in Spanish. "We're very content to be a part of this delegation."
Salvador Lazalde — a native Zacatecan and president of the Federation of United Mexicans in Utah — said the delegation's one-week agenda isn't something that is replicated in any other U.S. state.
"It's a way, more than anything to thank the people who have supported the community. And so that our community knows the people who represent and support us," he said in Spanish. "It's an event that unites the community, regardless of politics, religion, color. ... This is the mission of the Federation of United Mexicans in Utah, to unite the community and work together."
In addition to traveling to Utah to celebrate the Tonahuac Awards, the delegation plans to meet with a number of Utahns from Zacatecas as well as the Mexican community in general to identify opportunities for additional partnership.
Zacatecas Gov. David Monreal Ávila stressed the strong bonds between Zacatecas and Utah, pointing to the thousands of dollars in remittances that are sent from Utah to Zacatecas each year. That financial exchange, he said, has been crucial to his state's development. In 2021, Zacatecas alone received $1.58 billion in remittances, according to an analysis by the Wilson Center, a D.C.-based think tank.
"That represents almost the same amount as our state's expenditure budget," Monreal said in Spanish. "Those remittances go directly to household spending and strengthening of family units. ... We've come to return that generosity. "
Utah state Sen. Luz Escamilla said it is a rare honor to welcome the governor and other municipal officials from such a large Mexican state like Zacatecas. She said although Utah is not a border state, it has had a strong relationship with Mexico, dating back to the arrival of pioneers with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the area. Today, she said, Mexico is the state's second-largest trade partner.
She added that strengthening relationships with individual states like Zacatecas is an important piece in identifying how immigration can mutually benefit both Mexico and Utah, which is experiencing labor shortages in a number of industries.
"It just talks volumes of the big relationship we have between Mexico and in the state of Utah and the many Utahns that call Utah home but also have a direct connection with states like Zacatecas or Durango," she said. "Not only is there a clearly a financial connection, as many of them send their remittances and a lot of their money back to Mexico to build their community, but also the cultural exchange and educational exchange that takes place."
The delegation, accompanied by a folkloric dance group, will be available to meet the public Thursday, 5-7 p.m., at the Salt Lake Community College Taylorsville Redwood Campus; as well as the Walmart at 4570 S. 4000 West in West Valley City. The Tonahuac Awards are on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at the Black Lion Event Center in Sandy.
