BETWEEN OFFICIAL DISCOURSE AND REALITY MEXICO'S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS AFRICA, 2012-2018

Studying Mexico's foreign policy towards Africa is not an easy task. The difficulties of obtaining qualitative information are compounded by the notable absence of that continent from the foreign policy agenda and in public opinion. Between ignorance, disinterest, and racist prejudices, the essential feature of foreign policy towards Africa is one of continuity. In the first years of the period studied (2012-2018), that continent appeared as just another title in official Mexican documents, with little content. In the latter years of the administration a relatively greater activism in foreign economic policy was deployed, in what would seem to be an attempt to emulate the behavior of other emerging economies, such as China, India, and Turkey, but with limited capabilities.