Honduras–Mexico relations

Honduras-Mexico relations

Honduras
Mexico

Honduras-Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Honduras and Mexico. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.

History

Honduras and Mexico share a common history. Both nations were colonized and pertained to the Spanish empire. Soon after achieving Independence in 1821, Honduras belonged to the First Mexican Empire until 1823 when it then joined the United Provinces of Central America. After its dissolution in 1838, Honduras became an independent nation.[1]

Honduras and Mexico establish diplomatic relations in 1879. In 1908, both nations established resident diplomatic missions in each other's capitals, respectively. That same year, a treaty of 'Friendship, Commerce and Navigation' was signed between both nations. In 1943, their diplomatic missions were elevated to embassies.[2]

Mexico has actively observed and become involved in Honduran affairs throughout the country's early turbulent history which involved coup d'état, military rule, US intervention and wars with neighboring countries. In 1969, Honduras went to war with El Salvador known as the Football War for which Mexico intervened diplomatically and tried to resolve between the two countries. In June 2009, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a coup d'état and taken to neighboring Costa Rica. Like several other Latin American nations, Mexico temporarily severed diplomatic relations with Honduras. In July 2010, full diplomatic relations were once again re-established.[3]

Migration

For several decades, Mexico has been a transit country for thousands of Honduran migrants who enter the country on their way to the United States. Many Honduran migrants flee to the United States for better economic opportunities and/or to escape rampant crime and gang violence in their country, especially from the MS-13/Mara Salvatrucha.[4] In 2014, Mexico deported over 33,000 Honduran migrants back to Honduras.[5]

Both the governments of Honduras and Mexico have increased mutual cooperation to provide legal and humanitarian assistance to Honduran migrants in Mexico and to combat human trafficking and violence against migrants in Mexico. Both nations have also agreed to combat the presence of Mexican cartels operating in Honduras.[6]

In 2010, there were 10,991 Honduran citizens living legally in Mexico.[7]

Trade relations

In 2001, Mexico and Honduras (along with Guatemala and El Salvador) signed a free trade agreement known as the Free Trade Agreement with the Northern Triangle. In January 2013, the free trade agreement expanded to include Costa Rica and Nicaragua.[8] In 2011, total trade between Honduras and Mexico amounted to $844 million USD.[9]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. ↑ Encyclopedia Britannica: History of Honduras
  2. ↑ Bilateral relations between Mexico and Honduras (in Spanish)
  3. ↑ México restablece las relaciones diplomáticas con Honduras (in Spanish)
  4. ↑ The Surge of Unaccompanied Children from Central America
  5. ↑ Unos 33 mil migrantes hondureños han sido deportados de México en lo que va del año (in Spanish)
  6. ↑ Mexican Cartels Expand into Honduras
  7. ↑ INEGI: Foreign community in Mexico (in Spanish)
  8. ↑ Entra en vigor con Honduras el tratado de libre comercio entre México y las repúblicas de Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala y Nicaragua (in Spanish)
  9. ↑ TLC entre México y Honduras comenzó a operar desde enero (in Spanish)
  10. ↑ Embassy of Honduras in Mexico City (in Spanish)
  11. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in Tegucigalpa (Spanish)
  12. ↑ Consulate of Mexico in San Pedro Sula (in Spanish)