MEXICO CITY – John McCain arrived in the Mexican capital Wednesday evening for a visit that is expected to touch on tough issues like immigration and drug trafficking and underscore the importance of the Hispanic vote in the November presidential election.

A smiling Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, was greeted by U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza at Mexico City's international airport and left without making a statement.

His first stop today will be at the Virgin of Guadalupe Basilica, the most important Roman Catholic religious site in the Americas. Images of the dark-skinned Virgin are everywhere in Mexico and in many U.S. Hispanic homes, and the faithful ask for her aid with health issues and other daily challenges.

Images of Mr. McCain at the basilica "are being directed at the Mexican community in the United States because they are symbols Mexicans over there also identify with," said political commentator José Antonio Crespo.

Mr. McCain also will meet with President Felipe Calderón and visit a federal police complex.

Andrew Selee, director of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., said the visit by Mr. McCain and an expected August visit by Democratic candidate Barack Obama are positive signs for U.S.-Mexico relations.

"It indicates that there's a strong interest and the importance that both candidates have in reinforcing the relationship with Mexico," Mr. Selee said.

Armand Peschard-Sverdrup, a political consultant at Peschard-Sverdrup & Associates, said the trip also poses some risks for Mr. McCain.

Mexico remains a wedge issue for many American voters, including those living in key electoral states, such as Michigan and Ohio, where freer trade with Mexico is controversial.

"McCain is also walking a fine line, particularly with hard-line conservatives," Mr. Peschard-Sverdrup said. "The imagery in Mexico would be great if the United States was experiencing a booming economy. But people want to know, what will you do for me here in the United States, and so this trip doesn't answer that question."

Earlier Wednesday in Cartagena, Colombia, Mr. McCain praised President Álvaro Uribe for reducing violence in Colombia and combating the shipment of cocaine to the United States.

"The progress that I've seen since previous visits here has been substantial and positive," Mr. McCain said, adding that "in human rights and other issues, there is still progress that needs to be made."

News assistant Javier García and McClatchy Newspapers contributed to this report.

acorchado@dallasnews.com;

liliff@dallasnews.com

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