Latin America is New Focus of Mexico Foreign Policy Graciela Ibanez - Dow Jones
go to original September 21, 2012

SANTIAGO, Chile - Mexico's President-elect, Enrique Pena Nieto, said Friday he will put his country's relationship with Central and South America at the height of his foreign policy.

Mr. Pena Nieto, who will take office on Dec. 1, picked Latin American countries for his first trip abroad after winning Mexico's presidential election in July.

The President-elect on Thursday evening arrived in Santiago after visiting Guatemala, Colombia and Brazil, and will continue his Latin American tour in Argentina and Peru.

"The fact that my first trip abroad as President-elect was to Central and South America signals where the focus of my foreign policy will be," Mr. Pena Nieto said at a breakfast meeting with Chile's business community.

Brazil, Colombia and Chile are Mexico's largest trading partners in Latin America. Mexico's most significant trading partner, however, is its neighboring country, the U.S.

"In the last couple of years, Mexico moved away from its relationship with Central and South America as it was busy with its relationship with the U.S.," said Mr. Pena Nieto, who added that his government will aim at strengthening ties with Latin American countries.

Mr. Pena Nieto's election victory will return the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, to power after 12 years in opposition.

Write to Graciela Ibanez at graciela.ibanez@dowjones.com

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