Mr Payan has not long to persuade either the government or the rebels to change tack.

ECONOMIST: Fortress Mexico

"Structurally, Mexico still has high levels of insecurity, " Mr. Payan said.

WSJ: U.S. Immigration Overhaul Tests Mexican Partnership

"The pull factors stimulating emigration to the U.S. have changed, " said Tony Payan, a visiting scholar at Rice University in Houston, who also credits improved border security for reducing emigration.

WSJ: U.S. Immigration Overhaul Tests Mexican Partnership

The mining company has not released the miners' names, but family and friends have confirmed to CNN the identities of Sanchez, Kerry Allred, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips, Alonso Hernandez and Erickson.

CNN: Camera lowered into mine cavity shows 'survivable space'