The nations of Mexico and the United Kingdom formally established diplomatic relations in 1826.[3] However, diplomatic relations were severed in 1861 after Mexico suspended payments on its foreign debt to the U.K. Diplomatic relations were re-established in 1864 when the U.K. recognized Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico.[4] After the death of the Emperor and the restoration of democracy in Mexico in 1867, relations were once again severed between both nations.
In 1884, diplomatic relations were restored under the Presidency of Porfirio Díaz. However, in 1938 relations were once again suspended when President Lázaro Cárdenas ordered the expropriation of all oil companies in Mexico. Diplomatic relations were re-established during World War II in 1941 and have continued unabated since.[3]
After Mexico achieved its independence in September 1821, Britain was the first European great power to recognize Mexican sovereignty. Soon afterwards, Emperor Agustín de Iturbide sent a diplomatic envoy to London to establish diplomatic communications between the two nations and both nations formally established diplomatic relations on 26 December 1826 through the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Navigation and Commerce, which was later ratified in 1837.[3][5][4] The British established a network of merchant houses in the major cities. According to historian Hilarie J. Heath, the results were bleak:
Trade was stagnant, imports did not pay, contraband drove prices down, debts private and public went unpaid, merchants suffered all manner of injustices and operated at the mercy of weak and corruptible governments, commercial houses skirted bankruptcy.[6]
In November 1838, Mexico was involved in a brief war with France known as the Pastry War. Britain supported Mexico and intervened to find a diplomatic solution to end the war. In March 1839, Mexico and France ended their war when Mexico acquiesced to the French demands.[7]
In 1861, President Benito Juárez suspended Mexico's interest payments to its creditors in France, Spain, and Britain. This act angered the three nations and in October 1861 the Convention of London was signed by the three nations to send joint navy ships to Mexico as a show of force to demand repayment by the Mexican government. In December 1861 the "triple-alliance" took the port of Veracruz and nearby towns. After a few months, both the Spanish and British government became evidently aware that Emperor Napoleon III of France was planning to initiate regime change in Mexico in order to expand its empire and take advantage of the fact that the United States was involved in its civil war (1861–65) and was not able to implement the Monroe Doctrine. The U.S. did not recognize the regime propped up by French troops. In early 1862, Britain and Spain pulled its forces from Mexico. This French invasion would later be known as the Second French intervention in Mexico. In 1864, France installed a puppet emperor in Mexico thus creating the Second Mexican Empire which lasted until 1867 with the execution of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico.[8] Britain had recognized his government, despite President Juárez never leaving the country. It nearly took 20 years for diplomatic relations to be restored, which was accomplished during the tenure of President Porfirio Díaz. Díaz was a liberal Army general who had defended Mexico against the foreign invasion.[9]
After 1880, the British turned their attention in Mexico primarily to investments in railways and mines, sending both money and engineers and skilled mechanics. The British invested £7.4 million in railways during the 1880s, a figure that jumped to £53.4 million in the 1910s. The decade-total of new investment in mining went from £1.3 million in 1880s to £11.6 million in 1910s. Investments in land and other properties rose from near zero in 1880s to £19.7 million in 1910s. The totals reached £135 million, almost as much as the United States. In 1900, there were 2,800 British citizens living in Mexico, a relatively small number in contrast to the 15,000 Americans, 16,000 Spaniards, 4,000 French, and 2,600 Germans. The British were famed for their sophisticated clubs, and their elaborate sports programs: association football became a highly popular sport across Mexico; while cricket found no interest amongst the Mexican populace.[10]
During World War I (1914–1918), Mexico was neutral while involved in its own civil war (1910–1920). In 1917 British intelligence intercepted the Zimmermann Telegram, and gave it to the United States government. Zimmermann was the German Foreign Minister who tried to induce Mexico to join the war against the United States in the hope of diverting American attention away from Europe. Mexico ignored the offer since it realized that its weak military would be quickly overwhelmed by the Americans.[11]
In March 1938, President Lázaro Cárdenas expropriated all oil reserves, facilities, and foreign oil companies in Mexico. The British government, alongside the United States government, demanded compensation from the expropriation which the Mexican government refused to pay. As a result, diplomatic relations between the two nations were severed. Although relations were restored in 1942, the British government held out until 1947 in regards to demanding payment and was duly recompensated for the expropriation.[12]
In May 1942, Mexico declared war on the Axis Powers during World War II, thus officially entering on the side of the Allies. As a result of this, diplomatic relations between Mexico and the UK were re-established. Mexico was one of only two Latin American countries to send soldiers abroad to fight in World War II (the second country being Brazil). In 1944, both nations elevated their diplomatic representations to the level of embassies, and Sir Charles Bateman became the first British ambassador in Mexico and José Maximiliano Alfonso de Rosenzweig Díaz became the first Mexican ambassador to the United Kingdom. After the war, bilateral relations between the two nations normalized and trade re-commenced.[13] In 1966, the first direct flights between Mexico City and London were inaugurated.
In 1973, President Luis Echeverría became the first Mexican head-of-State to visit the U.K. In 1975, Queen Elizabeth II paid her first State visit to Mexico. The Queen would visit for a second time in 1983.[4] In 1981, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher became the first British head-of-Government to visit Mexico to attend the North–South Summit in Cancún.[3]
Mexico remained neutral during the Falklands War (April–June 1982); however, it was well known that the Mexican government did not support the military junta in Argentina at the time and secretly supported the UK.[14]
Relations in the 21st century
U.K. and Mexican flags lining up along The Mall in London for the State Visit for President Felipe Calderón to the U.K.; March 2009.
Dual Year
The Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom and the Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico, which took place in 2015, was a year of extensive, diverse and stimulating exchanges between Mexican and British people in terms of art, culture, science, the academic sector, business and tourism. Initially, it was to be a solely cultural project agreed between the chairman of the National Council for Culture and the Arts of Mexico, Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries of the United Kingdom, Edward Vaizey, on 4 July 2013. Subsequently, the ministries of foreign affairs of both countries decided to expand the scope of the Dual Year to other areas.[15]
In May 2024, it was revealed that the British ambassador, Jon Benjamin, had been removed from his position earlier in the year when a video emerged of him pointing an apparently loaded machine gun at embassy employees while on tour of the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Durango.[1][21]
High-level visits
Queen Elizabeth II and President Enrique Peña Nieto in Buckingham Palace, London; March 2015.
High-level visits from Mexico to the United Kingdom[4][22][18]
President José López Portillo and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher attending the North–South Summit in Cancún, 1981.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Vicente Fox in Auchterarder, Scotland; July 2005.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Felipe Calderón in Davos, 2009.
Then Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla with President Peña Nieto and First Lady Angelica Rivera in Mexico City; November 2014.
Bilateral agreements
Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Extradition Treaty (1886); Agreement for the Transmission of Diplomatic Pouches (1946); Agreement for Consular Relations (1954); Agreement of Scientific and Technical Cooperation (1975); Agreement of Cultural Cooperation (1975); Agreement of Air Transportation (1988); Agreement of Cooperation in the Fight Against the Illicit Traffic and Abuse of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1990); Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation and Prevent Tax Evasion in Taxes on Income and Capital Gains (1994); Agreement of Mutual Assistance in the Investigation, Assurance and Confiscation of Criminal Products and Instruments different from those of the Traffic of Narcotic Drugs (1996); Treaty on the Execution of Criminal Sentences (2004); Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (2006); Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Studies, Degrees, Diplomas and Academic Degrees of Higher Education between both nations (2015); Agreement on the Mutual Recognition and Protection of the Designations of Spirit Drinks (2020); and a Trade Continuity Agreement (2020).[25]
In 1997, Mexico signed a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, of which the United Kingdom was a member until 2020. Since the implementation of the free trade agreement in 2000, trade between the two nations has increased dramatically. In 2023, two-way trade between Mexico and the UK reached over US$5.6 billion.[26] Mexico's main exports to the UK include: turbojets, turbopropellers and other gas turbines; telephones and mobile phones, parts and accessories for motor vehicles, tubes and pipes of iron or steel, minerals, medical instruments, coffee, fruit, honey, fish, and alcohol. The U.K.'s main exports to Mexico include: machinery and mechanical appliances, motor cars and other vehicles, medical instruments, chemical based products, ferroalloys, iron, steel, platinum, and clothing articles.[26]
It has been reported that Mexican drug cartels have been using the port city of Liverpool for smuggling cocaine into Britain and Europe.[30] In 2012, it was reported that the Sinaloa Cartel had drug distribution networks in England.[31] In 2013, Scotland Yard broke a cocaine importation ring involving corrupt British Airways cargo workers at Heathrow Airport importing cocaine from Mexico City.[32]
In 2017, it was reported that the Sinaloa Cartel had formed a pact with a Romanian crime syndicate who had control over transportation, which would allow the cartel to operate in Britain.[33] A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said "intelligence indicates that the Romanian OCG [organised crime group] are still being supplied by a Mexican OCG linked to the Sinaloa cartel. It is assessed that this network of OCGs will continue to supply large volumes of class A drugs into the UK."[34]
The nations of Canada and Mexico established formal diplomatic relations in 1944. Initially, ties between the two nations were dormant, but since the 1990s relations between Canada and Mexico have positively developed as both countries brokered NAFTA.
The nations of Australia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1966. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, G20, MIKTA, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Trade Organization.
The nations of Mexico and Turkey established diplomatic relations in 1928. Both nations are members of the G20, OECD and the United Nations.
Ties between Mexico and Spain date back to the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1519 and subsequent Spanish colonialism in the country which lasted until the end of the Mexican War of Independence in 1821. Formal diplomatic relations between both nations commenced in 1836 and were severed with the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War in 1939. Diplomatic relations were re-established in 1977 and have continued unabated since.
The nations of Brazil and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1825. Together, Brazil and Mexico account as the most populous nations in Latin America and both nations have the largest global emerging economies and are considered to be regional powers. Both countries are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, G-20 major economies, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The nations of Colombia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1821 when Colombia became the first country in Latin-America to recognize Mexico's independence. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States, Pacific Alliance and the United Nations.
The nations of Ireland and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1974. The relationship has been often associated with the Irish migration to Mexico. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
The nations of Mexico and Uruguay established diplomatic relations in 1831. Both nations are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The nations of Mexico and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1993. Bilateral relations between both nations have been characterized by a good level of political dialogue and by the mutual recognition of the leadership and involvement exercised by both countries in their respective regions.
China–Mexico relations are the diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United Mexican States. Diplomatic relations were established in 1972. and both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Forum of East Asia–Latin America Cooperation, G-20 major economies and the United Nations.
Mexico–Philippines relations are the bilateral relations of the United Mexican States and the Republic of the Philippines. Mexico and the Philippines share a common history dating from when the Viceroyalty of New Spain ruled the Spanish East Indies for the Spanish Crown. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Forum of East Asia–Latin America Cooperation and the United Nations.
The nations of Mexico and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1864. Both nations are members of the Organization of Ibero-American States, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Belize and Mexico are neighboring nations. They established official diplomatic relations in 1981 after Belize obtained its independence. However, diplomatic relations between Mexico and British administered British Honduras existed as early as 1893. Relations between both nations are based on proximity, trade and cultural connections between the Maya peoples of Belize and southern Mexico.
The nations of Haiti and Mexico established consular relations in 1882 and formal diplomatic relations were established in 1929. Both nations are members of Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States and the United Nations.
The nations of Honduras and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1879. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The nations of Mexico and Panama established diplomatic relations in 1904. Both nations are mutual members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of Ibero-American States and the Organization of American States.
Mexico–Saudi Arabia relations are the diplomatic relations between Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Both nations are mutual members of the G-20 major economies and the United Nations.
The nations of Mexico and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1975. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation and the United Nations.
Ivory Coast–Mexico relations are the diplomatic relations between Ivory Coast and Mexico. Both nations are members of the United Nations.
The nations of Andorra and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1995. Both nations are members of the Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
References
↑ Ambassador Jon Benjamin was relieved of his post earlier in 2024.[1] Deputy Head of Mission Rachel Brazier appears on the embassy's website as chargée d'affaires.[2]
↑ Hilarie J. Heath, "British Merchant Houses in Mexico, 1821-1860: Conforming Business Practices and Ethics," Hispanic American Historical Review 73#2 (1993), pp. 261-290 online
↑ Miller, Rory. Britain and Latin America in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. London: Longman 1993, 3
↑ Barbara A. Tenenbaum, and James N. McElveen, "From speculative to substantive boom: the British in Mexico, 1821-1911." in Oliver Marshall, ed. English speaking communities in Latin America (Macmillan, 2000): 51-79, at p 69.
Calvert, Peter. The Mexican Revolution, 1910-1914: The Diplomacy of Anglo-American Conflict. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1968.
Katz, Friedrich. The Secret War in Mexico: Europe, the United States, and the Mexican Revolution. Chicago: University of Chicago Press 1981. ISBN0-226-42589-4
Rosenberg, Emily S. "Economic Pressure in Anglo-American Diplomacy in Mexico, 1917-1918". Journal of Inter-American Studies and World Affairs 17 (May 1975), 123–52.
Tischendorf, Alfred. Great Britain and Mexico in the Era of Porfirio Díaz. Durham: Duke University Press 1961.
Tischendorf, Alfred. "The Anglo-Mexican Claims Commission, 1884-1895". Hispanic American Historical Review XXXVII (Nov. 1957), 471–79.
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