Texas Border Business
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos and Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña, joined by city leaders from both sides of the border, signed a Reaffirmation of Sister City Agreement to commemorate 10 years of binational cooperation. This historic occasion highlights a decade of shared progress and mutual benefit fostered by this enduring partnership.
Since its establishment on April 27, 2016, the agreement has served as a blueprint for bridging both communities through dynamic collaboration in culture, social initiatives, education, business, and the exchange of best practices. This visionary partnership has strengthened and enriched both sides of the border, laying the foundation for continued success.
See the gallery below for more images of the celebration. All images courtesy of The City off McAllen:
“Today is about celebrating our Sister City relationship with Reynosa. Ten years ago, McAllen and Reynosa formalized our status as Sister Cities, but in truth, our roots have been intertwined for generations. In McAllen, we are proud to continue building meaningful partnerships across the border,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos.
Following the signing ceremony, both mayors led a ribbon-cutting for “Latidos del Noreste,” a captivating photography exhibit capturing Reynosa’s urban transformation. Through vibrant muralism and public art, the exhibit powerfully portrays the city’s evolving border identity.
“Our Sister City Program continues to deepen our binational ties and position our region for shared success. Welcoming Reynosa reflects not only the goodwill between our communities, but a strategic partnership that expands access to global trade networks, investment, and job creation opportunities many regions can only aspire to,” said McAllen City Manager Isaac J. Tawil. “The McAllen–Reynosa mega-region stands as one of the most dynamic economic corridors in North America, home to one of the busiest land ports of entry on the continent. While we are separated by an international boundary, we are united by a common purpose: to drive prosperity, create jobs and elevate quality of life on both sides of the border.”
The Department of International Relations plays a critical role in advancing McAllen’s global footprint by cultivating partnerships that fuel economic growth, cultural exchange, and innovation. “Our diplomacy work ensures that collaboration translates into tangible opportunities for our community,” said Director of International Relations, Daniella Plata.
Over the past several years, McAllen and Reynosa have made meaningful progress in strengthening collaboration, and we are committed to building on that momentum, keeping lines of communication open and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable, long-term growth.
Information source: The City of McAllen
