Background and Context
On this Friday, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, embarks on a visit to Mexico, marking the first French presidential trip to the country in eleven years. This visit comes a year after Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City, assumed office and has shown keen interest in securing the return of significant historical Mexican documents currently held by Macron.
President Macron’s Itinerary
Macron arrived in Mexico City on Thursday night following his participation in the COP30 climate change conference in Brazil. His primary objective is to “strengthen political and strategic ties” with Sheinbaum, as stated by his office. The French president also aims to deepen economic relations with Mexico, as per an advisor’s statement.
Economic Cooperation
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Foreign Minister, highlighted that Macron’s visit will accelerate cooperation across various sectors: economic, university, scientific, cultural, environmental, health, and security. Mexico is the leading Latin American investor in France, while France ranks eleventh among foreign investors in Mexico.
Historical Document Repatriation
Beyond economic collaboration, Sheinbaum has emphasized the priority of requesting the return of several Mesoamerican codices, manuscripts from indigenous peoples illustrating the life and beliefs of the Mexican civilization. These documents have been in France’s possession for decades.
Key Codices
Sheinbaum’s government is particularly interested in two manuscripts: the “Códice Borbónico,” held by France’s National Assembly, and the “Códice Azcatitlán,” part of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France’s collections.
The “Códice Azcatitlán” is deemed crucial for understanding the development of Mexico-Tenochtitlan from its founding until the early seventeenth century, according to Mexican presidential advisor José Alfonso Suárez del Real.
Open Dialogue
The French presidency acknowledged the importance of this matter and emphasized their open dialogue with Mexican counterparts. A Franco-Mexican working group was established in September, bringing together top experts on these topics.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Emmanuel Macron? Emmanuel Macron is the President of France, elected in 2017 for a five-year term.
- Who is Claudia Sheinbaum? Claudia Sheinbaum is the President of Mexico City, elected in 2024. She has gained international recognition for her skillful handling of relations with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
- What are the codices? The codices are ancient manuscripts from Mesoamerican cultures, providing insights into their lives, beliefs, and historical developments.
- Why are these codices important to Mexico? The “Códice Azcatitlán” is vital for understanding the governance of Mexico-Tenochtitlan post-conquest, while both codices are crucial for Mexico’s historical knowledge.
- What is the significance of this visit for both countries? The visit aims to strengthen political and economic ties between France and Mexico, with a particular focus on the repatriation of historical documents.
