Haiti–Mexico relations

Haiti-Mexico relations

Haiti
Mexico

Haiti–Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Haiti and Mexico. Both nations are members of Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States and the United Nations.

History

Haiti was the first Latin-American nation to gain independence in 1804 from France. This result inspired several nations in the region in their struggle for independence. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Consular relations between Haiti and Mexico were established in 1882 with formal diplomatic relations being established in 1929.[1] In 1934, a Mexican diplomatic office was opened in Port-au-Prince and in 1943 the diplomatic office was elevated to an embassy. That same year, Haiti opened an embassy in Mexico City.[1]

Between the years 1957–1986, Haiti was ruled by President François Duvalier and later by his son, Jean-Claude Duvalier. During this time period, several high level Haitian politicians, students and activists sought refuge in the Mexican embassy in the capital including former politician and author, Gérard Pierre-Charles who spent 26 years living in Mexico.[2] In February 1991, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide came to power. He was later toppled in a coup d'état in September 1991 and forced to flee the country. That same month, Aristide's Prime Minister René Préval sought refuge in the Mexican embassy where he remained for eleven months until being granted safe-conduct and fled to Mexico. René Préval would later become President of Haiti in February 1996 – 2001 and again in 2006 – 2011.[3]

In 2014, there was an estimated community of 1,700 Haitian citizens residing in Mexico.[4]

2010 Haiti earthquake

In January 2010, Haiti experienced a 7.0 earthquake. Like several countries, Mexico responded by providing food and other essential emergency aid. Soon following the earthquake, over 1,300 Mexican medical workers arrived to Haiti along with 15,000 tons of humanitarian aid and over 51 thousand tents to provide temporary shelter.[5] Mexican soldiers also partook in search and rescue. Since 2010, the Mexican government has given over $8 million USD in financial assistance to the Haitian government and people.[6]

As part of an effort to increase humanitarian assistance and help with the recuperation of Haiti, Mexico will give government scholarships to 300 Haitian students to study at Mexican universities.[7] These students will also each receive a US$625 monthly stipend while their studies continue.[7] The first 103 students arrived in 2013, followed by 93 in 2014 and the rest arriving in 2015.[7]

State visits

Haitian President René Préval attending the Rio Group summit in Cancun, 2010.

Presidential visits from Haiti to Mexico

Presidential visits from Mexico to Haiti

Trade relations

In 2014, total trade between the two nations amounted to $88 million USD.[8][9] Haiti's main exports to Mexico include: textiles and clothing while Mexico's main exports to Haiti include: wheat, textiles and electric accumulators.[8][10]

Resident diplomatic missions

References

  1. 1 2 Bilateral relations between Mexico and Haiti (in Spanish)
  2. ↑ Obituary: Gérard Pierre-Charles
  3. ↑ History of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Haiti (in Spanish)
  4. ↑ Entrevista con el embajador de Haití en México, Guy Lamothe, sobre la “nueva” migración haitiana (in Spanish)
  5. ↑ Mexican Humanitarian Aid, 2010 (in Spanish)
  6. ↑ Mexican Agency for International Development (in Spanish)
  7. 1 2 3 "Llegan estudiantes haitianos a México". Excelsior. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  8. 1 2 Mexican Ministry of the Economy: Haiti (in Spanish)
  9. ↑ México y Haití buscarán ampliar comercio e inversiones (in Spanish)
  10. ↑ Peña Nieto ratifica apoyo a Haití para reconstrucción (in Spanish)
  11. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in Port-au-Prince (in French and Spanish)
  12. ↑ Embassy of Haiti in Mexico City (in Spanish)
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