Vice President Mike Pence describes Syria air strikes as 'accomplished' and warns Russia it's 'on the wrong side of history' while revealing NAFTA trade pact renegotiation is 'close'

  • Mike Pence told reporters that the US led airstrikes on Syria were a success
  • He also said it sends a warning to Russia that they're on the wrong side of history
  • Pence made the comments Saturday as he was leaving the summit of Latin American countries in Peru to talk NAFTA
  • The VP said it was a successful trip and that a deal would be reached in the next several weeks
  • He also said the topic of funding for Trump's proposed border wall with Mexico did not come up in his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto

Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday called US led airstrikes on Syria a completely accomplished mission while in Peru to renegotiate the NAFTA trade pact.

Pence Saturday responded to a reporter's question about if the president overstated the outcome of Syria's mission. 

He said: 'Last night, the objective of the mission of that (our) commander in chief gave our military forces was completely accomplished, with swift professionalism.' 

Vice President Mike Pence called the US led airstrikes on Syria 'mission accomplished' while in Peru at the Americas Summit and said the US is close to a deal to renegotiate NAFTA

Vice President Mike Pence called the US led airstrikes on Syria 'mission accomplished' while in Peru at the Americas Summit and said the US is close to a deal to renegotiate NAFTA

VP Pence called the US led airstrikes on Syria a success. Pictured Damascus skies erupt with surface to air missile fire targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus early Saturday

VP Pence called the US led airstrikes on Syria a success. Pictured Damascus skies erupt with surface to air missile fire targeting different parts of the Syrian capital Damascus early Saturday

Pence said that the US acted on information from the intelligence community and allies, and they had a high degree of confidence that 'at a minimum,' chlorine was used in the attack, and possibly sarin.

Pentagon officials earlier Saturday suggested they had proof that the Assad regime was behind the attack but could not elaborate as the information is classified.   

'Our message to Russia is, "you're on the wrong side of history," ' Pence also said. 'It's time for Russia to get the message President Trump delivered last night. "You're known by the company you keep."'

Pence also answered questions on the negotiations at the summit of Latin American countries in Peru and said he is very hopeful that the United States, Mexico and Canada were close to a deal on a renegotiated NAFTA trade pact.

Pence told reporters its was possible that a deal would be reached in the next several weeks.

Pence held brief bilateral talks with the leaders of Mexico and Canada on Saturday about the state of play in their NAFTA renegotiations, saying he was 'encouraged' by recent progress towards a deal.

The discussions on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Peru came as US officials said they believed they were narrowing differences over a revised North American Free Trade Agreement, 24 years after its inception.

President Donald Trump makes remarks as he speaks to the nation, announcing military action against Syria for the recent apparent gas attack on its civilians, at the White House, on April 13, 2018, in Washington

President Donald Trump makes remarks as he speaks to the nation, announcing military action against Syria for the recent apparent gas attack on its civilians, at the White House, on April 13, 2018, in Washington

But US relations with Mexico had soured in recent weeks as US President Donald Trump has sought to link the trade talks to Mexican efforts to stop migrants illegally crossing the border into the US, and ordered National Guard troops to the border.

The vice president also said that the topic of funding for Trump's proposed wall on the U.S. border with Mexico did not come up in Pence's meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. 

'I think President Pena Nieto understands that he and President Trump have a difference of opinion on that,' he said.