Introduction
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday for a visit aimed at bolstering political and commercial ties between the two nations. A significant aspect of this visit is the return of important historical Mexican documents, known as codices.
Background on the Visitors
Claudia Sheinbaum: Sheinbaum, a member of the Morena party, has been Mexico’s president since 2018. She is the first woman to hold this position in Mexico City, succeeding former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. As a scientist and politician, Sheinbaum has focused on environmental issues, education, and public health.
Emmanuel Macron: Macron, a centrist politician, has been France’s president since 2017. He previously served as Minister of Economy under President François Hollande from 2014 to 2016. Macron’s visit marks the first time a French president has visited Mexico in eleven years, following François Hollande’s trip in 2014.
Visit Objectives
Macron’s visit aims to strengthen political and strategic ties with Sheinbaum, as well as deepen economic cooperation in various areas such as trade, university collaboration, scientific research, culture, environment, health, and security.
Historical Documents Repatriation
Beyond economic collaboration, Sheinbaum has emphasized the priority of requesting the return of Mesoamerican codices, manuscripts created by indigenous peoples that illustrate the lives and beliefs of the Mexica civilization. These documents have been held by France for decades.
Key Codices
- Códice Borbónico: This manuscript is preserved in the National Assembly of Mexico and is considered crucial for understanding the rulers of Mexico-Tenochtitlan from its founding until the early 17th century.
- Códice Azcatitlán: Owned by the National Library of France, this document is essential for understanding the development of Mexico-Tenochtitlan’s governance after the conquest.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is this visit significant for Mexico?
- Q: What are the main areas of cooperation between Mexico and France during Macron’s visit?
- Q: Which historical documents is Sheinbaum requesting from France?
- Q: Why are these codices important for both Mexico and France?
A: The primary focus of this visit for Mexico is the repatriation of historical codices, which are vital to understanding its indigenous heritage and pre-Hispanic civilizations.
A: The areas of cooperation include economic, university, scientific, cultural, environmental, health, and security collaboration.
A: Sheinbaum is specifically requesting the return of two codices: the Códice Borbónico and the Códice Azcatitlán.
A: For Mexico, these codices are fundamental to understanding its indigenous history and pre-Hispanic civilizations. For France, the repatriation of these documents is an important topic with ongoing dialogue between the two nations, involving top experts in these areas.
