Beyond Diplomacy: Mexican Ambassador on Bilateral Cooperation, Economic Opportunities, Cultural Exchange and the World Cup
By Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS — Mexico’s Ambassador to Algeria, José Ignacio Madrazo Bolivar, has described the relationship between Algeria and Mexico as one built on more than six decades of political friendship and shared international positions, while stressing that the two countries possess “enormous” untapped potential to expand cooperation across energy, trade, investment, higher education and Africa-focused partnerships.
Speaking in an interview with Horizons Web TV, the ambassador said that although bilateral diplomatic relations have remained consistently strong since Mexico became the first country to recognise Algeria’s independence in 1962, economic and practical cooperation has yet to reflect the depth of political ties binding the two nations.
“The potential for cooperation between our two countries is enormous,” Madrazo said, arguing that both governments now have an opportunity to transform longstanding political goodwill into concrete economic and technological partnerships.
Reflecting on the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, the ambassador welcomed Algeria’s participation in the tournament and praised the national team’s qualification for the knockout stage.
“We are very happy that Algeria is taking part in the World Cup,” he said, adding that he had hoped to see the Desert Foxes play on Mexican soil but remained pleased to witness the country’s successful campaign.
Madrazo described the tournament as a historic opportunity for Mexico, noting that millions of viewers around the world are following the competition and that hosting the World Cup places the country at the centre of global attention for several weeks.
He acknowledged, however, that organising a World Cup across three countries has presented significant logistical challenges, citing the vast geographical distances separating host cities and the complex travel arrangements required for teams and supporters alike.
The ambassador referred to Iran’s World Cup campaign as an example of these logistical difficulties, explaining that the team was unable to remain in the United States between matches and therefore had to return to Mexico after each fixture before travelling back for subsequent games.
Turning to bilateral relations, Madrazo said Algeria and Mexico continue to share common positions on numerous international issues through their cooperation in multilateral institutions, including the United Nations in New York and Geneva.
He noted that both countries have historically defended international law and multilateral diplomacy, recalling their longstanding engagement within the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 during the decades following Algeria’s independence.
Despite this political convergence, he acknowledged that bilateral trade remains modest compared with each country’s broader international economic partnerships.
According to the ambassador, annual trade between Algeria and Mexico currently stands at just over 300 million dollars, a figure he described as relatively limited for two major emerging economies.
By comparison, he noted, Mexico’s global trade exceeds 600 billion dollars, underlining the considerable room available for expanding commercial exchanges with Algeria.
Madrazo attributed this situation partly to geographical realities and existing economic structures, explaining that Mexico naturally maintains intensive trade with neighbouring North American markets while also benefiting from extensive free trade agreements with Europe and Asia.
Similarly, Algeria’s commercial relations remain concentrated with its traditional Mediterranean, European and regional African partners.
Nevertheless, he argued that both countries possess complementary strengths capable of supporting a far more ambitious partnership.
Energy cooperation remains one of the most promising sectors, he said, highlighting the similarities between Algeria’s Sonatrach and Mexico’s Pemex, which have maintained historical cooperation agreements but have yet to fully exploit their shared expertise.
The ambassador also praised Algeria’s electricity infrastructure, describing the national power grid operated by Sonelgaz as particularly impressive given the country’s vast geographical size and its ability to provide electricity across extensive Saharan regions.
He suggested that both countries could benefit significantly from greater technical exchanges in electricity generation, transmission and energy management.
Beyond hydrocarbons, Madrazo identified scientific cooperation, diaspora engagement and parliamentary diplomacy as additional areas offering substantial opportunities.
He welcomed Algeria’s recent initiatives aimed at mobilising highly qualified nationals living abroad, noting that Mexico has successfully implemented comparable policies for many years through dedicated institutions serving its overseas communities.
Such experiences, he said, could serve as a valuable basis for bilateral cooperation.
The ambassador also pointed to expanding parliamentary exchanges following recent high-level visits between the two countries, describing legislative diplomacy as another important avenue for strengthening bilateral relations.
Looking towards Africa, Madrazo emphasised Mexico’s growing interest in the continent and identified Algeria as one of its principal strategic partners.
He explained that Mexico is gradually expanding its diplomatic presence across Africa, with Algeria occupying a particularly significant position due to its geographical size, regional influence and extensive political and economic ties throughout the continent.
“Algeria can serve as a bridge between Mexico and Africa,” he said, pointing to the country’s efforts to strengthen regional connectivity through new trade routes and economic partnerships.
Sharing his personal impressions after serving in Algeria since 2023, Madrazo praised the hospitality of the Algerian people, saying he had found numerous similarities between Algerian and Mexican society.
He highlighted the central role of family life, friendship, hospitality and gastronomy in both cultures, adding that these common values had allowed him to feel “truly at home” during his diplomatic mission.
Among his favourite Algerian dishes, the ambassador singled out couscous served with méchoui, while expressing particular admiration for Algeria’s architectural heritage.
He said he had been struck by the remarkable similarities between the decorative zellige tilework of the Casbah of Algiers and traditional Mexican ceramic designs, describing them as a reflection of the enduring cultural influence of North African Islamic civilisation on Spanish and, subsequently, Mexican heritage.
Madrazo also noted that numerous Arabic words continue to form part of everyday Mexican Spanish and that many culinary traditions in Mexico trace their origins to the Arab world, illustrating the deep historical connections linking the two cultures.
Concluding the interview, the ambassador reiterated that the relationship between Algeria and Mexico rests on a strong foundation of shared values, political understanding and mutual respect.
“The potential is immense,” he said. “Mexicans and Algerians understand each other easily, not only in everyday life but because we share many of the same values and outlook on the world. My task is to help transform that enormous potential into concrete cooperation, and I hope our efforts will succeed.”
Adapted from:
https://www.horizons.dz/2026/06/jose-ignacio-madrazo-bolivar-ambassadeur-du-mexique-en-algerie/
— 𝐄𝐍𝐃 —
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