“Mexico Favors Actions Based on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.” Highlights Mexican Ambassador to Iran

Mexico, with an area of 1,964,375 square kilometers, is the 13th largest country in the world and the 3rd largest in Latin America. This land, located in southern North America, borders the United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. With a population of over 130 million in 2023, Mexico is the 10th most populous country in the world. This demographic diversity, with over 68 indigenous languages, makes Mexico the seventh most linguistically diverse country in the world. Economically, Mexico has the second largest economy in Latin America and is recognized as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world due to its extraordinary climatic diversity. Mexico’s numerous natural and cultural attractions make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico was ranked the top tourist destination in Latin America and the sixth most visited destination worldwide in 2023.

AVA Diplomatic’s Exclusive Interview with Mr. Guillermo Alejandro Puente Ordorica,

Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Iran

How are the economic relations between Mexico and Iran, and what is the work that the Embassy of Mexico does in this regard?

The Embassy makes efforts to promote trade between Mexico and Iran through various means, including attending seminars on trade opportunities at the Iranian Chamber of Commerce or providing information to Iranian and Mexican business trying to explore trade opportunities.

In our dialogue with Iranian authorities this is a matter that is regularly discussed, including during reciprocal visits of delegations, such as the visit to Iran in May 2023 of the Parliamentary Group of Friendship Mexico- Iran.

However, the direct trade between both countries is not very high, although some trade is sent through third countries. The reason for this low level is that both Iran and Mexico have their trading priorities in different regions, either because of geography or because logistically it is easier. There are historic trading routes that are more accessible.

What political fields are there for cooperation between Iran and Mexico?

We maintain a constant and respectful political dialogue with Iran on bilateral, regional and multilateral matters. We value each other perspectives and we share a vision on the importance of social development, equality and respect for international law. Mexico and Iran share a heritage of millenary civilizations, diverse artistic and cultural elements and expressions, and dynamic societies. Parliamentarian diplomacy is also very important, as the visit of Mexican legislators to Iran in May 2023 shows. During that visit, the Mexican delegation met with Iranian parliamentarians, officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and visited agriculture, civil drones and nanotechnology projects organizations and institutions.

More recently, both Mexico and Iran expressed their solidarity to each other and condemned the recent incidents occurred against their diplomatic missions. In the case of Iran, Mexico condemned the attack on the Iranian Consulate in Syria and stated that this act is contrary to the norms of international law and coexistence between nations. In the case of Mexico, Iran expressed the importance and the need to respect and guarantee the security of the diplomatic and consular representations after police forces raided the Embassy of Mexico in Ecuador, and recalled the commitment of the host country in the maintenance and protection of the immunity and the security of the diplomatic and consular premises.

Do the two countries share the same views on diplomatic fields such as human rights and international issues?

Mexico and Iran share the view that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Both countries face different challenges in this regard, and we make efforts to address them according to our national circumstances.

Mexico is always open to share its experiences of interaction with the international human rights bodies and implementation at the domestic level of the obligations deriving from international law. In that sense, Mexico is open as well to share its experience and best practices with Iran in case the country finds it useful.

I also think that for both countries the respect of international institutions and international law is particularly important, in particular the UN Charter.

What are the fields for cultural cooperation between Iran and Mexico?

Cultural activities are one of the most important aspects of the bilateral relation. Through its cultural diplomacy, the Embassy of Mexico in Iran seeks to deepen our mutual understanding and focus on those elements that bring our countries closer. The purpose is to show Mexico in its right dimension, projecting the diversity and richness of the artistic production and its different cultural identities, and trying to dismantle stereotypes and prejudices.

The Embassy organizes regular events to present different aspects of Mexican culture, through photographic and art exhibitions, film screenings and promotion of the Spanish language, which is gaining further interest among Iranian people, particularly the youth. To this end, we have sought greater contact with education and cultural centers in Iran, including museums and universities. The Embassy also participates in festivals and fairs such as the Tehran International Book Fair.

Moreover, the Mexican Government has in place scholarships that are open to Iranian students wishing to continue their training at postgraduate or undergraduate level studies in Mexico.

What are the obstacles to the development of tourism relations between the two countries?

One of the obstacles is the geographical distance and the relative high cost of the flights. This in turn makes that potential Mexican and Iranian tourists focus on more attractive touristic alternatives in terms of costs and travel hours.

Another obstacle that we have to focus our efforts on, is about deconstructing certain stereotypes that prevail in the mind of the people in regards to our countries. The promotion of knowledge and information about the richness, diversity and hospitality of our countries is very relevant.

There is a need as well for further engagement among tourist agencies and promoters of both countries to get to know each other better and find ways to work together in the achievement of these goals.

Is it a possibility to establish a direct flight between Tehran and Mexico City in the near future?

That would be a great development, but I find it difficult to happen in the near future, given that there is not a large number of passengers travelling directly from one country to the other. In any case, the Embassy would be ready to facilitate the establishment of a direct flight if there is any airline with a commercial interest in this regard.

How many Mexican tourists visited Iran in 2023?

We don’t have an exact figure of Mexican tourists visiting Iran as they are not obliged to touch base with the Embassy. In very rare cases Mexican tourists inform the Embassy about their travel arrangements and touristic activities. However, we know that more than 100 Mexicans live permanently or temporarily in Iran.

We have been trying to establish some sort of cooperation with Iranian tourist organizations to let them know that the Embassy can be an ally in their activities and that we are ready to help in case is necessary.

Through our social media networks, the Embassy maintains a constant activity to keep informed potential Mexicans traveling to Iran that they can count with the support of the Mexican Embassy in case they require it.

How many visas did the Mexican Embassy issue for Iranian tourists in 2023? How many Iranian students are studying in Mexico?

In 2023 the Embassy issued around 550 visas for Iranians who did short visits to Mexico, including tourism and business activities. Additionally, 9 resident visas were issued for Iranians who were admitted to study at Mexican universities.

Is there a plan to grow the number of tourists between the two countries in 2024?

As I said before, we at the Embassy make constant efforts to facilitate links between travel agencies in Iran and Mexico in order to increase the number of tourists. The cultural activities that the Embassy organizes have also the purpose of igniting the interest of visiting Mexico among Iranian people.

In what sports is there a high potential for exchange and cooperation between the two countries?

There are a number of sports in which both countries can cooperate and exchange experiences, like athletics, wrestling, basketball, tennis, etc.

Definitively, football might be the most important sport for the two countries to cooperate. At the level of national teams, I believe Mexico and Iran have played at least three matches in their history. For my surprise, in positive terms, very often, Iranian people talk to me about certain legendary Mexican football players like Hugo Sánchez and Chicharito.

Once, I met an Iranian professional football player who was part of the Iranian National team at some point, who played against Mexico, and as his position was defender, he told me that he was in charge of taking care, that means to avoid him to score!, of a brilliant Mexican striker at that time: Jared Borghetti.

In regard to reinforcing scientific cooperation and new technologies, what consultations are going on between Iran and Mexico?

The Embassy of Mexico and Mexican legislators that visited Iran have been in contact with institutions such as the Pasteur Institute and the Council for Innovation in Nanotechnology.

We have explored the possibility of establishing exchanges in matters related to vaccines and immunology, as well as in nanotechnology for agricultural uses.

What role does Mexico play in regional developments, including in Latin America and the Caribbean?

Mexico is one of the biggest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, in terms of population, territory and economy. For instance, the Mexican economy is the second biggest in Latin America. As such, Mexico has an important role in regional developments.

Mexico maintains and promotes a positive relation with all countries in the region, and dedicates a big part of its international development cooperation to contribute to the efforts of countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

In terms of culture and trade, Mexico has also a big presence in the region, which is facilitated by our common history and language In Latin America and the Caribbean.

We have as well an active political dialogue with the countries in our region, and we promote a constructive collaboration under the framework of the different regional organizations, like for instance CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), the Organization of American States (OAS), etc.

How is the relation between Mexico and the United States currently and how do you assess the future prospects of it?

The relation between Mexico and the United States is multi-layered and complex. We shared more than three thousand Kms. land border with the US, plus another two thousand Kms. approximately of maritime borders both at the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Wide binational communities from both countries live and interact along the border on a daily basis. There are about 50 million Mexicans living in the US from at least three different generations. Some of them are dual nationals, and they contribute in a thorough manner to the wealth of the US economy as a responsible and efficient labor force. Just to give an idea of the complexity entailed by that, Mexico has more than 50 consulates spread around the geography of the US, providing consular services to the various Mexican communities and helping to foster a constructive dialogue with the regional and local US authorities. Another example: the remittances of Mexicans working in the US sent to their families in Mexico, were in February 2024 in the order of 4,150 million dollars.

In terms of trade, Mexico has a wide and comprehensive free trade agreement with the US: USMCA in English or TMEC in Spanish, which includes Canada providing scope to a North American free trade area.

More recently, Mexico has become the number one US trade partner. In 2023, Mexican exported to US more than 528 thousand million dollars, the highest amount registered until now. In the first two months of 2024 exports accounted for more than 78 thousand million dollars. The Peso, Mexican national currency, is the most appreciated emergent foreign currency worldwide, as it has been gaining value against the US dollar – around 18.5% of its value more recently.

There are of course also challenges in this complex relation, which we try to tackle together, maintaining the coordination and cooperation between authorities of both countries under the basis of mutual respect for our sovereignties, such as migration, security, arms trafficking and drug trafficking.

What approach has Mexico taken towards global crises like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war?

Mexico has a principled foreign policy which includes the peaceful resolution of disputes and the respect of international law among others. For example, Mexico has rejected the use of force both in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, and has called for a diplomatic solution to these conflicts. Mexico has also called on all parties to respect international law, in particular international humanitarian law, Human Rights, and of course the Charter of the United Nations.

In the case of Ukraine, Mexico remains attentive to the evolution of events, and favors the dialogue to resolve the conflict in order to achieve a negotiated and peaceful resolution of the conflict. Mexico has condemned the appropriation of territory by force, which is contrary to international law and has called for the respect of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Mexico considers that the humanitarian consequences of the war in Ukraine are unacceptable, both for its population and for those of neighboring countries. Therefore, my country has condemned the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, as well as any use, by any actor and in any place, of cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines, indiscriminate weapons prohibited by international law. We also share the great concern about the possible use of nuclear weapons or nuclear accidents.

Mexico has stated in the UN Security Council that the immediate future requires openness, dialogue and a sense of genuine commitment, both from the parties involved and from the international community, to put an end to this war. My country has expressed its willingness to support this effort towards peace.

In the case of Gaza, Mexico has condemned the attacks that occurred against the people of Israel on October 7th, 2023, and has also expressed its utmost concern about civilian victims in Gaza. Mexico recognizes the right to self-defense, and at the same time stresses that such right should be exercised in accordance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. We have observed with concern the escalation of violence that has resulted in the unfortunate death of thousands of civilians, including women and children, the taking of hostages and a high number of injuries.

The Mexican Government has made an urgent appeal to the authorities and actors involved in the region to decisively support actions aimed at the immediate release of hostages.

Mexico has also welcomed the decision on provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice regarding the case brought by South Africa. My country has supported multilateral initiatives seeking a ceasefire in the face of the escalation of violence in Gaza, always favoring actions based on the peaceful settlement of disputes. In this regard, the Government of Mexico reaffirms its support for international justice and, in particular, for the International Court of Justice.

Finally, in January of this year, and considering the gravity of the situation and the suffering of civilians, Mexico and Chile requested the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate the alleged commission of international crimes in Israel and Palestine, specifically from the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and the subsequent hostilities in Gaza. Mexico considers that the ICC is the most appropriate forum for the establishment of individual international criminal responsibility in the most serious cases and of greatest relevance to the international community.

These regrettable events should serve to remind us, once again, of the urgency of resuming negotiations to reach a fundamental solution to the conflicts.

Do you have any concluding remarks?

I would like to reiterate that the Embassy of Mexico in Iran remains open, active and engaged in promoting bilateral relations with Iran, and also with other countries to which we are accredited to, such as Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kirgizstan and Afghanistan. We will continue making efforts to deepen the political dialogue with the Iranian authorities in matters of common interest, and to engage with the Iranian public interested in Mexican culture, in learning and practicing Spanish, in doing business with Mexico or in visiting or studying in our country. We invite you to follow our social media accounts to stay updated about our activities and events! Instagram: @EmbaMexIrn; X: @EmbaMexIrn