Mexican Consul General Carlos Gonzalez-Gutierrez spoke to Sacramento State students and faculty on Monday about Mexico and California’s evolving relationship over the past 200 years and what this means for the future.

Approximately 500 people attended the lecture and 150 of attendants were Sac State students and faculty, a representative from UNIQUE said.

Gutierrez commenced his speech, expressing gratitude about the electronic billboard on Highway 50 that announced his lecture at Sac State.

“I have received my 15 minutes of fame and I wanted to thank you in particular for the bragging rights that you have provided me with my neighbors in Carmichael,” Gutierrez said jokingly.

Gutierrez organized his speech into three parts: role of the Mexican consulate, Mexico’s current affairs in regards to the fight against organized crime and the future of the California and Mexico relationship.

Gutierrez engaged the audience when he discussed aspects of organized crime in Mexico.

“The Mexico we perceive today is a country shaken by violence. Levels of violence demonstrate that Mexico is facing a real problem, which can only be addressed with determination and prompt action.” Gutierrez said.

Mexico has a rate of 10 murders per 100,000 citizens, which is a lower rate compared to other Latin American countries such as Venezuela, Columbia and Brazil, with 48, 37 and 25 murders per 100,000 citizens, respectively, Gutierrez said.

Many countries, not just Mexico, face drug trafficking problems.

“I want to stress the need of cooperation from the United States and other countries in fighting drug trafficking,” Gutierrez said. “It is necessary to have participation of all those involved in the chain of drug trade, so that there is hope of significantly reducing the levels of violence.”

The consul general ended his speech with a few words about the Mexican and Californian integrated.

“This generation represents the promise of a breach of understanding,” Gutierrez said. “To achieve its full potential, Mexico needs the talent of the expatriates and the Mexican-origin community living abroad. This will be a part of Mexico’s change to an even more inclusive and just society, closer to California &- together with California, for the next 200 years.”