Mexico has turned down a formal invitation from former US President Donald Trump to join his new initiative, the “Board of Peace.” This group is designed to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and serve as an alternative to the United Nations in managing the conflict. On Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a press conference to explain her government’s decision. While Mexico will not become a full member, it plans to send an observer to the board’s first meeting in Washington this Thursday.
Sheinbaum said that declining full membership is a matter of principle regarding international recognition.
“In the statement, it says we recognize the search for peace in any space that opens up,” Sheinbaum explained. “But in this case, when it comes particularly to peace in the Middle East, given that we recognize Palestine as a state, it is important that both states participate, right? Both Israel and Palestine. And that is not how the meeting is set up.”
This commitment to a two-state solution is a cornerstone of Mexico’s current foreign policy. Shortly after taking office, Sheinbaum’s administration made a significant diplomatic move by formally receiving the credentials of a Palestinian ambassador, a step she has highlighted as full recognition of the Palestinian state. This position was echoed earlier when the formal invitation arrived; Sheinbaum remarked that it was “very important” for the Board to have representation directly from Gaza, a sentiment also shared by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Board of Peace, an idea pushed by Trump, has received mixed reactions globally. According to Trump, about 35 countries have decided to join the group. However, it has notably failed to secure a seat for Palestine at the table. The inaugural meeting this Thursday in Washington will include some of Trump’s key international allies, particularly from the right wing, such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.
While Argentina is on the list of Latin American participants, alongside Paraguay have been hesitant. Several European countries, including France, Norway, and Spain, have also opted out. Canada and New Zealand have already stated they have no intention of joining. Morocco stands out as the first African and one of the first Arab nations to join the assembly. A key detail of the board’s structure is the significant financial barrier to entry: Trump has required that countries pay $1 billion for a permanent seat, with the former president retaining final approval over all members and decisions.
A Wider Context of US-Mexico Tensions
Mexico’s refusal to join the Board of Peace is not an isolated decision. It adds another layer of complexity to an already strained relationship with the United States. Several major issues are currently testing the bilateral ties.
One of the most immediate points of conflict is the fight against drug trafficking. The Trump administration has ramped up its rhetoric and actions against cartels, which has caused friction. There have been reports of the US military conducting operations in the Caribbean against drug vessels and a constant push for more aggressive action from Mexico. While President Sheinbaum has cooperated by extraditing cartel figures and deploying the National Guard to the northern border, she has firmly rejected any foreign intervention on Mexican soil, stating, “Under no circumstance will we accept interventions, interference, or any other act from abroad that is detrimental to the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the country”.
Another major point of contention is Cuba. The Trump administration has declared a national emergency regarding the island nation and imposed strict measures, including the threat of tariffs against any country that provides oil to Cuba. This puts Mexico, historically a supporter of Cuba and a member of the left-wing Morena party with ties to the island, in a difficult position. Despite US pressure, Sheinbaum has defended Mexico’s right to provide humanitarian aid. “We are going to continue sending humanitarian aid, food, and some other requests that the Cuban government has made that its people need,” she stated.
These issues are compounded by Trump’s constant threats to impose sweeping tariffs on Mexican goods, a favorite negotiating tactic of his. So far, Sheinbaum has navigated these challenges with a strategy described by some former diplomats as “squish and muddle through”—treading carefully to avoid direct conflict while subtly pushing back on key principles like national sovereignty and humanitarian support for allies. The Board of Peace’s decision fits this pattern: a polite but firm “no” based on a clear principle, while maintaining communication by sending an observer.