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Colombian–Mexican relations refers to the historical and current bilateral relationship between the Republic of Colombia and the United Mexican States. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States, Pacific Alliance and the United Nations.
Contents
History
Colombia and Mexico both share a common history in that they were both colonized by Spain and each nation was the seat of power of one of four Spanish viceroyalties. Soon after gaining independence in 1820's, the newly independent Mexican empire and Gran Colombia once bordered each other in what are now the independent nations of Costa Rica and Panama. Both nations established diplomatic relation on 3 October 1823.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both nations have become increasingly close politically and bilaterally. In 1989, both nations, along with Venezuela formed a trade bloc called the Group of 3 (Grupo de los Tres) which intended to reduce trade tariffs and create a free trade bloc between the three nations within a ten-year time span that took effect in 1995. However, in 2006, former President Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuela would be leaving the bloc due to his estranged relationship with former Mexican President Vicente Fox and former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe. The trade bloc continued without Venezuela until 2007.
Over the past few years, both nations have become increasingly tangled in the war on drugs. Colombia has for many years been known as one of the biggest producers of drugs and for having notorious cartels. Mexico was traditionally a transit country for Colombia drugs to pass through en route to the United States (the largest demand market for drug consumption). However, Mexico has also become increasingly involved in drug production itself and many Mexican drug cartels have increasingly partnered with Colombian cartels in transiting drugs to other markets globally. Both the Colombian and Mexican government have increasingly worked together to combat the cartels and have hired advisers from each other nations to practice successful tactics in each other's nations respectively.
State visits
Presidential visits from Colombia to Mexico
Presidential visits from Mexico to Colombia
Trade relations
Trade between the two nations has increased dramatically over the past ten years. Since 2001, two-way trade between Colombia and Mexico increased by 382%. Total trade between the two nations amounted to $4.1 billion USD in 2016. Colombia is Mexico's thirteenth biggest trading partner globally. In 2007, Mexico and Colombia signed a new free trade agreement which replaced the now defunct Group of 3 trade bloc which had included Venezuela. Between 1994-2008, Mexican companies invested over $2 billion USD in Colombia, while at the same time, Colombian companies invested $168 million USD in Mexico.
Resident diplomatic missions
Chargé d'affaires
- José Anastasio Torrens 6 September 1824 – 9 November 1829
Ambassador
Technically "Envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Mexico to Colombia"
- Juan Francisco Urquidi 8 October 1923 – 21 November 1927
- Jesús Mario Chacón Carrillo
- Manuel de la Peña y Peña
- Óscar E. Duplán Maldonado 1933-4
- Federico Montes 1941-
- Miguel Ángel Menéndez
- Arnulfo Valdivia Machuca 4 December 2014-