“Imperial Russia's Perception of Porfirian Mexico, 1890-1911”

Abstract

This article deals with the Russian official position toward Porfirian Mexico in the context of the establishment and development of diplomatic and commercial relations between both nations. Russian diplomatic reports as well as official press perceived Mexico as a model nation for the rest of Latin-American countries, a nation at the height of industrial development, and an important regional power to maintain peace in Central America. This vision was based on diverse facts, which reflected the economic and international performance of Mexico. The success of Mexico was attributed generally to government policy and especially to the person of Porfirio Diaz.