·      In late 2015, there will be eight members of the Mexican Armed Forces participating in the PKO.

Eight members of Mexico’s Armed Forces will join three United Nations peacekeeping operations (PKO) as Mexico continues to gradually increase its participation in these operations. They will be deployed this month, for periods of between 6 and 12 months, to: the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

MINUSTAH-Haiti: As part of strengthening the bilateral cooperation between Mexico and Chile regarding the UN PKO, a major and a sergeant from the Defense Ministry (SEDENA) and a Navy lieutenant (SEMAR) will work out of the headquarters of the Chilean national contingent in MINUSTAH in an advisory and planning role.

In coordination with the UN, a SEDENA major will also join MINUSTAH as a communications adviser at mission headquarters.

MINURSO-Western Sahara: in coordination with the UN, a major and a captain from SEDENA will join MINURSO as military observers.

UNIFIL-Lebanon: as part of the close cooperation between Mexico and Spain in PKO, a captain from SEDENA and a captain from SEMAR will be posted to the headquarters of the Spanish national contingent.

With these eight new members of the Mexican military a total of 12 will be participating in PKO by the end of 2015.

In April of this year, Mexico resumed its participation in the PKO by sending four members of the military to participate in MINUSTAH and MINURSO.

The military objective of Mexico’s participation is to train military observers and specialists in the officer corps of the Mexican Armed Forces, raising their profile, giving them field experience and training them in the work of the UN PKO under the highest international standards.

Joining the PKO is consistent with Mexico’s foreign policy goal of strengthening its cooperation and support for global and United Nations peacekeeping and international security efforts. Mexico is aware that the UN PKO are one of the clearest examples of global responsibility and are essential for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

With this decision, Mexico—as a global actor with responsibilities to and within the international community—reaffirms its commitment to defending the best causes of humanity, in accordance with the principles and values ​​of the United Nations.

With these actions, the Ministries of Defense and the Navy strengthen the bonds of understanding with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, promoting an awareness of human rights for their observance among its members, and of respect and protection of individuals, positioning Mexico as an actor with global responsibility.