Mexico rejects full Board of Peace role over lack of Palestinian representation

2026-02-18 - 07:12

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Tuesday that her country will not participate as a full member in the US-led Board of Peace overseeing the Gaza ceasefire plan, citing the exclusion of Palestinian representation. "Given that we recognize Palestine as a state, it's important that both states, Israel and Palestine, participate. It isn't set up that way," Sheinbaum stated during a press conference. Observer Status Only Sheinbaum announced that Mexico would instead send its ambassador to the UN as an observer to Thursday's inaugural board meeting in Washington, DC. "They invited us to attend as observers; if we were not going to participate, then to attend as observers. And together with the foreign minister, we decided that our ambassador to the United Nations would attend as an observer," she explained. Consistent Support for Palestine The president has previously described Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza as genocide and consistently advocated for a two-state solution. Her decision reflects Mexico's official recognition of Palestinian statehood and opposition to frameworks that exclude Palestinian participation. The Board of Peace, announced by President Donald Trump, comprises staunch US allies from Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, and Latin America, despite Washington providing over $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 2023, when the Gaza war began.