The nations of Angola and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1976.[1] Both nations are members of the United Nations.
History
During the Atlantic slave trade, Portugal and Spain transported enslaved people from Angola to Mexico where they arrived primarily to the port city of Veracruz.[2] Angola gained its independence from Portugal in November 1975. On 20 February 1976, Mexico recognized the independence and established diplomatic relations with Angola.[1]
Soon after gaining independence, Angola entered into a civil war which lasted until 2002. During the war, Mexico vehemently opposed the presence of South African troops in Angola.[3] In 1985, Mexican Foreign Minister Bernardo Sepúlveda Amor paid a visit to Angola, becoming the first high level government official to do so.[3] In 1989, Mexican Foreign Secretary Fernando Solana also paid a visit to the country.[3]
In 2009, Mexico opened an embassy in Luanda, however, due to the global economic crisis to which Mexico was not immune, the embassy in Angola closed only after a few months.[1] In 2014, Mexican Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade paid a visit to Angola.[4] During the visit, Foreign Secretary Meade promised that Mexico would re-open an embassy in Angola, however, the embassy never reopened. In November 2018, Angola closed its embassy in Mexico City due to budgetary restrictions.[1] In December 2018, Angolan Foreign Minister Manuel Domingos Augusto attended the inauguration for Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.[6]
Director General for Africa and the Middle East María Carmen Oñate Muñoz (2014)
Director General of ProMéxico Francisco González Díaz (2014)
Bilateral agreements
Both nations have signed the following bilateral agreements: Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a consultation mechanism on materials of mutual interest (2004); Agreement on Educational, Cultural and Technical Cooperation (2014) and a Memorandum of Understanding of Diplomatic and Academic Cooperation (2014).[1]
Trade relations
In 2023, trade between Angola and Mexico totaled US$21.2 million.[10] Angola's main exports to Mexico was petroleum gas. Mexico's main exports to Angola include: iron or steel pipes and tubes.[10] Mexican multinational companies such as Grupo Gusi and Sukarne operate in Angola.[11] In 2022, Mexican cement company Cemex teamed with Danish construction-technology company COBOD to foment 3D concrete printing of houses in Angola.[12]
Diplomatic missions
Angola is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[13]
Mexico is accredited to Angola from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and maintains an honorary consulate in Luanda.[14]
