The foreign relations of Mexico (United Mexican States) are directed by the President of the United Mexican States and managed through the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs. The principles of the foreign policy are constitutionally recognized in Article 89, Section 10, which include: respect for international law and legal equality of states, their sovereignty and independence, non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and promotion of collective security through active participation in international organizations. Since the 1930s, the Estrada Doctrine has served as a crucial complement to these principles.

After the War of Independence, the relations of Mexico were focused primarily on the United States, its northern neighbor, largest trading partner, and the most powerful actor in hemispheric and world affairs. Once the order was reestablished, its foreign policy was built under hemispheric prestige in subsequent decades. During Cold War, Mexico supported the Cuban government since its establishment in the early 1960s, the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua during the late 1970s, and leftist revolutionary groups in El Salvador during the 1980s. In the 2000s, former President Vicente Fox adopted a new foreign policy that called for openness, acceptance of criticism from the international community and the increase of Mexican involvement in foreign affairs, as well as a further integration towards its northern neighbors. A greater priority to Latin America and the Caribbean was given during the administration of President Felipe Calderón.

Mexico is one of the founding members of several international organizations, most notably the United Nations, the Organization of American States,Velázquez Flores (2007), p. 145. the Organization of Ibero-American States, the OPANAL and the Rio Group. For a long time, Mexico has been one of the largest contributors to the United Nations regular budget, in 2008 over 40 million dollars were given to the organization. In addition, it was the only Latin American member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development since it joined in 1994 until the accession of Chile in 2010. Mexico is considered a newly industrialized country, a regional power and an emerging market, hence its presence in major economic groups such as the G8+5 and the G-20 major economies.

Foreign policy

Article 89, Section 10 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States states the principles of the Mexican foreign policy, which were officially incorporated in 1988.Pereña-García (2001), p. 35. The direction that the foreign policy will take lies with the President, as the head of state, and it is executed through the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. The article states:

Aside from these constitutionally recognized principles, the foreign policy has been based on some doctrines. The Estrada Doctrine as the most influential and representative instrument in this field, proclaimed in the early 1930s and strictly applied until 2000, claimed that foreign governments should not judge, positively or negatively, the governments or changes in government of other nations, since such action would be a breach of their sovereignty. This policy was said to be based on the principles of non-intervention, peaceful resolution of disputes and self-determination of all nations.

During the first presidency of the National Action Party, Vicente Fox appointed Jorge Castañeda to be his Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Castañeda immediately broke with the Estrada Doctrine, promoting what was called by critics the "Castañeda Doctrine". The new foreign policy called for an openness, acceptance of criticism from the international community, and increase of Mexican involvement in foreign affairs.

On November 28, 2006, former President Felipe Calderón announced that Patricia Espinosa would serve as his Secretary of Foreign Affairs starting on December 1, 2006. He declared priorities including the diversification of the Mexico–United States agenda, heavily concentrated on immigration and security issues, and the rebuilding of diplomatic relations with Cuba and Venezuela, which were heavily strained during the Fox administration, as well as giving greater priority to Latin America and the Caribbean states.

Diplomatic relations

The Mexican foreign service officially started in 1822, the year after the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba, which marked the beginning of the country's independence.El Colegio de México (2007), p. 519-523. In 1831, legislation was passed that underpinned the establishment of diplomatic representations with other states in Europe and the Americas.

As a regional power and emerging market, Mexico holds a significant global presence. As of 2009, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs has over 150 representations at its disposal overseas, which include: 79 embassies. 68 consulates. 8 permanent missions.

In the early 1970s, Mexico recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole and legitimate government of China, therefore issues related to the Republic of China (Taiwan) are managed through the Office of Consular Liaison under the circumscription of the Consulate General of Mexico in the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, Mexico does not recognize Kosovo as an independent country.

Historically, Mexico has remained neutral in international conflicts. However, in recent years some political parties have proposed an amendment of the Constitution in order to allow the Mexican army, air force or navy to collaborate with the United Nations in peacekeeping missions, or to provide military help to countries that officially ask for it.

List of countries with diplomatic relations List of countries which Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate123456789101112— (suspended)131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134—135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165—166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186187188189190——

Bilateral relations Africa Country Formal Relations BeganNotesOctober 21, 1964See Algeria–Mexico relations

Algeria has an embassy in Mexico City. Mexico has an embassy in Algiers.February 20, 1976See Angola–Mexico relations

Angola is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Angola from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria and has an honorary consulate in Luanda.1975 Benin is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.December 5, 1975 Botswana is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and maintains an honorary consulate in Mexico City. Mexico is accredited to Botswana from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.1976 Burkina Faso is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and an honorary consulate in Mexico City. Mexico is accredited to Burkina Faso from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.July 28, 1977 Burundi is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Burundi from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and maintains an honorary consulate Bujumbura.1975 Cameroon is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Cameroon from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.1976 Cape Verde is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Cape Verde from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.February 4, 2020Both nations established diplomatic relations on February 4, 2020, in New York City, with the signing done by their respective ambassadors to the United Nations. Central African Republic does not have an accreditation to Mexico. Mexico is accredited to the Central African Republic from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.February 25, 1976See Chad–Mexico relations

Chad and Mexico established diplomatic relations on February 25, 1976. In May 2002, Chadian Prime Minister Nagoum Yamassoum paid a visit to the Mexican city of Monterrey to attend the Monterrey Consensus conference. Chad is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Chad from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.October 2008 The Comoros does not have an accreditation to Mexico. Mexico is accredited to the Comoros from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.July 31, 1975See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Mexico relations Both nations established diplomatic relations on July 31, 1975. DR Congo does not have an accreditation to Mexico. Mexico is accredited to DR Congo from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.1990 Republic of the Congo is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to the Republic of the Congo from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.June 22, 1989 Djibouti is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Havana, Cuba. Mexico is accredited to Djibouti from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and maintains an honorary consulate in Djibouti City.March 31, 1958See Egypt–Mexico relations

Egypt has an embassy in Mexico City. Mexico has an embassy in Cairo.September 26, 1975See Equatorial Guinea–Mexico relations

Both nations established diplomatic relations on September 26, 1975.

Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.June 23, 1993 Eritrea is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Eritrea from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.December 23, 1975 Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) is accredited to Mexico from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Mexico is accredited to Eswatini from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.1949See Ethiopia–Mexico relations

After the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Mexico was the only country to condemn the Italian occupation of Ethiopia at the League of Nations. Since then, relations between the two nations have strengthened. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia thanked Mexico by naming a square in the city called "Mexico Square". Mexico named a metro station in Mexico City called Metro Etiopía. Ethiopia is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico has an embassy in Addis Ababa.March 1976 Gabon is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico is accredited to Gabon from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.August 15, 1975 Gambia does not have an accreditation to Mexico. Mexico is accredited to Gambia from its embassy in Accra, Ghana.August 8, 1961See Ghana–Mexico relations Ghana and Mexico established diplomatic relations on August 8, 1961. Soon afterwards, both nations opened embassies in each other's capitals, respectively. In 1972, Ghana closed its embassy in Mexico City. Mexico closed its embassy in Accra in 1980. Mexico re-opened its embassy in Ghana in 2013.

Ghana is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico has an embassy in Accra.January 25, 1962 Guinea is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Havana, Cuba. Mexico is accredited to Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.1975 Guinea-Bissau does not have an accreditation to Mexico. Mexico is accredited to Guinea-Bissau from its embassy in Rabat, Morocco.November 13, 1975See Ivory Coast–Mexico relations

Ivory Coast has an embassy in Mexico City.