Chile–Mexico relations

(Redirected from Mexico – Chile relations)

The nations of Chile and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1831, however, relations were severed in 1974 in the aftermath of the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. Diplomatic relations were re-established in 1990 and have continued unabated since.[1]

Chile–Mexico relations
Map indicating locations of Chile and Mexico

Chile

Mexico

Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of Ibero-American States, Organization of American States, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pacific Alliance and the United Nations.

History

edit
 
Plaque commemorating Mexican solidarity with Chile during the Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990).

Chile and Mexico both share a common history in that they were both hosts to advanced indigenous societies and were both colonized by Spain. Diplomatic relations were established in the 1820s soon after both nations obtained independence from Spain. In 1825 Chile opened a consulate in Mexico City and in Mazatlán in 1875. On 7 March 1831, both nations signed a Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation.[2] In 1844, Mexico opened a consulate in Valparaíso. In 1864, during the Second French intervention in Mexico, Chile recognized and maintained diplomatic relations with the government of President Benito Juárez.[1] In the early 1900s, both nations established resident embassies in each other's capitals respectively.

In 1914, Chile belonged to regional group called the ABC nations (which also included Argentina and Brazil). These three nations made up the richest and most influential nations in South America at the time. That year, the ABC nations intervened in a diplomatic dispute between the United States and Mexico who were on verge of war over the Tampico Affair and the subsequent occupation of Veracruz by US forces. The ABC nations meet with representatives of the United States and Mexico in Niagara Falls, Canada to ease the tension between the two nations and to avoid war, which afterwards did not occur.

In 1960, President Adolfo López Mateos became the first Mexican head-of-state to pay a visit to Chile. In 1972, President Salvador Allende paid a visit to Mexico. On 11 November 1974, Mexican President Luis Echeverría Álvarez severed diplomatic relations with Chile a year after the unconstitutional removal and death of elected President Salvador Allende by General Augusto Pinochet.[3] For the next fifteen years, Mexico would receive thousands of Chilean refugees who fled the dictatorship of Pinochet.[4] Both nations re-established diplomatic relations on 23 March 1990. Since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, both nations have increasingly become closer with regards to bilateral relations and trade.

Chile and Mexico are the only two Latin American countries who are members of the OECD and both nations are two of the four founding members of the Pacific Alliance (the others being Colombia and Peru). In March 2018, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto traveled to Chile to attend the inauguration of President Sebastián Piñera.[5]

In November 2022, Chilean President Gabriel Boric traveled to Mexico and met with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. During the visit, both leaders discussed the election of a new head for the Inter-American Development Bank and to increase bilateral relations and agreements between both nations.[6]

In September 2023, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador paid a visit to Chile to commemorate the 50th anniversary since the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. President López Obrador met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric and the two leaders discussed both nations close relations and President Boric thanked Mexico for its involvement in granting political asylum to thousands of Chileans during the 1973 coup d'état.[7] In October 2024, President Boric travelled to Mexico to attend the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum.[8]

High-level visits

edit
 
President Gabriel Boric and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (and other leaders) in Mexico City for the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum; October 2024.

Presidential visits from Chile to Mexico[9][10][11]

Presidential visits from Mexico to Chile[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

edit

Bilateral agreements

edit

Both nations have signed numerous bilateral agreement such as an Extradition Treaty (1990); Agreement for Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (1990); Agreement for Cultural and Educational Cooperation (1990); Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation (1990); Agreement of Cooperation to Combat Drug Trafficking and Drug dependency (1990); Agreement for Touristic Cooperation (1993); Agreement on Air Transportation (1997); Free Trade Agreement (1998); Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation and Prevent Tax Evasion on Income and Equity (1998); Agreement for Strategic Association (2006); Agreement of Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property (2011); and an Agreement of Cooperation, Mutual Administrative Assistance and Exchange of Information in Customs Matters (2011).[19]

 
The mural Presencia de América Latina, painted by Mexican artist Jorge González Camarena painted in the lobby of the Casa del Arte of the University of Concepción in Chile.

Transportation

edit

There are direct flights between Chile and Mexico with Aeroméxico and LATAM Airlines.

Trade relations

edit

Both nations signed a free trade agreement in April 1998 and both nations are also signatories to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.[20] In 2022, trade between Chile and Mexico totaled US$3.8 billion.[21] Chile's main exports to Mexico include: lumber, plywood, salmon, peaches, cheese, wine and copper. Mexico's main exports to Chile include: automobiles and parts, tractors, electronics, machinery and beer.[21]

Several Mexican multinational companies such as América Móvil, Farmacias Similares, Grupo Alsea, Grupo Bimbo, Mabe and OXXO (among others) operate in Chile. Chilean Startups companies such as Fintual, Betterfly and NotCo (among others) operate in Mexico.[22]

Resident diplomatic missions

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b History of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Chile (in Spanish)
  2. ^ Inicio de relaciones diplomáticas entre los países iberoamericanos y Chile: México (in Spanish)
  3. ^ Mexico breaks diplomatic relations with Chile (in Spanish)
  4. ^ Reconoce Chile la solidaridad de México al abrir las puertas a miles de exiliados
  5. ^ Peña Nieto dialoga con Piñera sobre intensificar el intercambio comercial México-Chile (in Spanish)
  6. ^ Boric, ante López Obrador: “Si hubiésemos tenido un diálogo más profundo, hubiese sido más fácil ponerse de acuerdo con el BID” (in Spanish)
  7. ^ López Obrador, en Chile: “Allende es el presidente extranjero que más admiro” (in Spanish)
  8. ^ Presidente arriba a México para asistir a cambio de mando presidencial (in Spanish)
  9. ^ Salvador Allende: Universidad de Guadalajara (in Spanish)
  10. ^ "Mandatarios de Países que Asistieron a la Primera Reunión Cumbre Iberoamericana, Guadalajara, México, 18 y 19 de Julio, 1991 (in Spanish)". Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  11. ^ Visitas recíprocas y reuniones entre los Presidentes de Chile y México (in Spanish)
  12. ^ History of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Chile (in Spanish)
  13. ^ Chile dona documentos de la visita de Adolfo López Mateos a ese país en 1960 (in Spanish)
  14. ^ Luis Echeverría Álvarez: 1970-1976 (in Spanish)
  15. ^ "Giras y Visitas Internacionales del C. Presidente de la República: Ernesto Zedillo (in Spanish)". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  16. ^ Permisos concedidos al Presidente de la República Vicente Fox Quesada para ausentarse del territorio nacional (in Spanish)
  17. ^ Viajes realizados al extranjero por el C. Felipe Calderón (in Spanish)
  18. ^ Peña Nieto llega a Chile para Cumbre de la Alianza del Pacífico
  19. ^ Bilateral agreements between Mexico and Chile (in Spanish)
  20. ^ Free trade agreement between Chile and Mexico (in Spanish)
  21. ^ a b Data México: Chile
  22. ^ La Invasión Chilena: Startups de Chile en México (in Spanish)
  23. ^ Embassy of Chile in Mexico (in Spanish)
  24. ^ Embassy of Mexico in Chile (in Spanish)