Mexico is revitalizing its cultural and diplomatic relations with Spain and France following years of tension with these countries under previous administrations. The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum is leveraging cultural diplomacy as a tool to foster stronger ties, with exchanges that include exhibitions and the return or loan of historic artifacts.
Under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, relations between Mexico and Spain were strained, particularly due to his calls for Spain to acknowledge the historical abuses during the conquest of Mexico. However, the Sheinbaum administration has eased tensions by initiating cultural initiatives. These efforts have included the exchange of cultural recognition and historic artifacts. Notably, Spain has honored Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide and the National Museum of Anthropology, while Mexico has loaned more than 400 pre-Hispanic artifacts for exhibitions in Madrid.
Mexico’s diplomatic rapport with France has similarly improved. Past disputes, including the tensions surrounding the Florence Cassez case during the administrations of Felipe Calderón and Nicolas Sarkozy, had cooled relations. However, under Sheinbaum and French President Emmanuel Macron, both nations are now engaging in renewed cultural cooperation.
As part of this rapprochement, France has recently loaned the Azcatitlan Codex to Mexico to commemorate the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This historic manuscript, which details the history and migration of pre-Hispanic peoples, will be displayed at Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology and History, symbolizing the strengthened ties between the two countries.