 | ||
Ecuador–Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Mexico. Both nations are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
Contents
History
Ecuador and Mexico are two nations that share a common history by being both once part of the Spanish Empire. In 1819, Ecuador was part of the Gran Colombia (which included present day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela). After its break up, Mexico recognized and established diplomatic relations with Ecuador in June 1830. In 1837, Mexico opened a consulate in Guayaquil which subsequently became its first diplomatic mission in South America.
Diplomatic relations between the two nations began to significantly develop in the 1970s. In 1974, Mexican President Luis Echeverría paid a state visit to Ecuador and met with President Guillermo Rodríguez. The two leaders signed several agreements on economic, scientific and cultural cooperation. Since then, there have been numerous high level visits between leaders of both nations to each other's country.
For several years, Mexico has been returning Ecuadorian nationals without proper documentation on their way to the United States to Ecuador. Since 2006, drug traffickers and Central American gangs have increased their attacks on migrants transiting through Mexico. As a result, both Ecuador and Mexico have increased cooperation to provide better protection and consular support to hundreds of Ecuadorian migrants who traverse Mexico each year.
State visits
Presidential visits from Ecuador to Mexico
Presidential visits from Mexico to Ecuador
Trade relations
Over the past few years, both nations have been trying to increase bilateral trade. In 2014, two-way trade between the two nations amounted to just over $1 billion USD. Mexican exports to Ecuador include: televisions, cars, medicines, tractors and mobile phones while Ecuadorian exports to Mexico include: cacao, palm oil, wood and fish products. Ecuador is Mexico's eleventh biggest trading partner while Mexico is Ecuador's sixth biggest trading partner. In 2011, Mexican companies invested over $2 billion USD in Ecuador and Ecuadorian companies invested $8 million USD in Mexico.