CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

Embassy of the United Mexican States

Diplomatic history and full roster

Embassy of the United Mexican States

1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC

A modern office building encloses two retained Georgian house façades. Mexico moved its embassy here from 16th Street in 1989.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1986verified; CAMA AYB 1986; the retained historic fronts predate the office building. EYB 1997 is effective age, not completion.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Acquired by MexicoNot verifiedunverified; Purchase year is documented for the Institute. Occupation does not establish acquisition for the other properties.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
First diplomatic use1989verified; Mexico’s occupation of this property, not establishment of diplomatic relations.
  1. instituteofmexicodc.org
NeighborhoodFoggy Bottomverified; Geographic neighborhood; tax-assessment names can differ.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
ArchitectPeter Vercelliverified
  1. www.cfa.gov
Rooms95–230 est.estimated; Planning estimate: rooms = building area × room-area fraction ÷ average room size. For this office property, assume 45%–65% of the recorded 87,620 sq ft is enclosed usable room area, with an average 250–400 sq ft per room. The range combines the low fraction with the larger room size and the high fraction with the smaller size, rounded outward to five rooms. Room allocation and average size are assumptions. Covers the recorded building area; the interior has not been independently measured. Estimated room range.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area87,600 sq ftverified; Recorded DC gross building area; the Institute record includes its associated building sections.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area7,600 sq ftverified; LANDAREA for one owned parcel 0118 0031. No streets or neighboring properties included.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$53.3Mverified; Current DC ASSESSMENT, CY1YEAR 2026; land plus improvements. Current tax assessment.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov

Complete property record

Mexican Ambassador’s Residence

4925 Loughboro Road NW, Washington, DC

The former Preston Wire House stands on a wooded Spring Valley estate. DC’s heritage inventory records its use as Mexico’s ambassadorial residence from 1973.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1930–31verified; CAMA actual year built 1931; DC heritage inventory says 1930. Completion within 1930–31 is not resolved.
  1. planning.dc.gov
Acquired by MexicoNot verifiedunverified; Purchase year is documented for the Institute. Occupation does not establish acquisition for the other properties.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
First diplomatic use1973verified; Mexico’s occupation of this property, not establishment of diplomatic relations.
  1. planning.dc.gov
NeighborhoodSpring Valleyverified; Geographic neighborhood; tax-assessment names can differ.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
ArchitectNot verifiedunverified; Original architect not identified in the consulted residential CAMA, DC heritage guide or contemporary residence reports.
  1. www.cfa.gov
Rooms16verified; Residential CAMA ROOMS count; not bedrooms or event capacity.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area11,300 sq ftverified; Recorded DC gross building area; the Institute record includes its associated building sections.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area80,100 sq ftverified; LANDAREA for one owned parcel 1513 0014. No streets or neighboring properties included.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$8.3Mverified; Current DC ASSESSMENT, CY1YEAR 2026; land plus improvements. Current tax assessment.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov

Complete property record

Mexican Cultural Institute

2829 16th Street NW, Washington, DC

Nathan C. Wyeth’s MacVeagh House became Mexico’s embassy in 1921. Since 1990, its public rooms and mural staircase have served the Mexican Cultural Institute.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1911verified; Completed 1911 per historic inventory; CAMA AYB 1910 reflects the earlier construction date.
  1. historicsites.dcpreservation.org
  2. instituteofmexicodc.org
Acquired by Mexico1921verified; Purchase year is documented for the Institute. Occupation does not establish acquisition for the other properties.
  1. historicsites.dcpreservation.org
  2. instituteofmexicodc.org
First diplomatic use1921verified; Mexico’s occupation of this property, not establishment of diplomatic relations.
  1. historicsites.dcpreservation.org
  2. instituteofmexicodc.org
NeighborhoodColumbia Heightsverified; Geographic neighborhood; tax-assessment names can differ.
  1. historicsites.dcpreservation.org
  2. instituteofmexicodc.org
ArchitectNathan C. Wyethverified
  1. historicsites.dcpreservation.org
  2. instituteofmexicodc.org
Rooms30–70 est.estimated; Planning estimate: rooms = building area × room-area fraction ÷ average room size. For this cultural and reception property, assume 50%–65% of the recorded 35,506 sq ft is enclosed usable room area, with an average 350–550 sq ft per room. The range combines the low fraction with the larger room size and the high fraction with the smaller size, rounded outward to five rooms. Room allocation and average size are assumptions. Covers the recorded building area; the interior has not been independently measured. Estimated room range.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area35,500 sq ftverified; Recorded DC gross building area; the Institute record includes its associated building sections.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area34,600 sq ftverified; LANDAREA for one owned parcel 2577 0038. No streets or neighboring properties included.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$16.0Mverified; Current DC ASSESSMENT, CY1YEAR 2026; land plus improvements. Current tax assessment.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov

Complete property record

Historic Moments

An envoy brings recognition

1822-12-12

President James Monroe receives José Manuel Zozaya, Mexico’s first minister in Washington. The meeting establishes diplomatic relations and US recognition of independent Mexico.

Peace after war

1848-02-02

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican–American War. Mexico cedes a vast northern territory, while the agreement promises protections to Mexican residents in the lands transferred to the United States.

Relations break over Veracruz

1914-04-22

Mexico breaks diplomatic relations following the US seizure of Veracruz. The occupation becomes a defining confrontation of the revolutionary era and shows how quickly diplomacy can give way to armed intervention.

Workers cross under contract

1942

A bilateral wartime agreement brings Mexican workers to US farms and railroads. The Bracero Program continues until 1964; its contracts promise protections, but participants also experience discrimination, withheld pay, and unsafe conditions.

A boundary dispute ends

1967-10-28

Lyndon Johnson and Gustavo Díaz Ordaz meet at the border for the formal land exchange settling the Chamizal dispute. The ceremony implements the 1963 treaty and a negotiated solution to a century old disagreement.

Trade enters a new framework

1994-01-01

NAFTA takes effect between Mexico, the United States, and Canada, phasing out tariffs and creating shared rules for investment and trade. Its successor, the USMCA, enters into force in July 2020.

Chiefs of Mission

DiplomatOfficeRecorded serviceStatus
Roberto Lazzeri MontañoAmbassador2026–PresentCurrent
Esteban Moctezuma BarragánAmbassador2021–2026Former
Martha Elena Federica Bárcena CoquiAmbassador2019–2021Former
Gerónimo Gutiérrez FernándezAmbassador2017–2018Former
Carlos Manuel Sada SolanaAmbassador2016–2017Former
Miguel Basáñez EbergenyiAmbassador2015–2016Former
Alejandro Ives Estivill CastroChargé d’affaires2015–2015Former
Eduardo Tomás Medina Mora IcazaAmbassador2013–2015Former
Arturo Sarukhan CasamitjanaAmbassador2007–2012Former
Carlos Alberto de Icaza GonzálezAmbassador2004–2006Former
Juan José Bremer de MartinoAmbassador2001–2004Former
Jesús Federico Reyes-Heroles González-GarzaAmbassador1997–2000Former
Jesús Silva-Herzog FloresAmbassador1995–1997Former
Jorge Mario Montaño MartínezAmbassador1993–1995Former
Gustavo Petricioli IturbideAmbassador1989–1993Former
Jorge Espinoza de los Reyes SánchezAmbassador1983–1988Former
Bernardo Sepúlveda AmorAmbassador1982–1982Former
Hugo B. Margáin GleasonAmbassador1977–1982Former
José Juan de Olloqui y LabastidaAmbassador1971–1976Former
Emilio O. Rabasa MishkinAmbassador1970–1970Former
Hugo B. Margáin GleasonAmbassador1965–1970Former
Antonio Carrillo FloresAmbassador1959–1964Former
Manuel Tello BaurraudAmbassador1953–1958Former
Rafael de la Colina RiquelmeAmbassador1949–1953Former
Antonio Espinosa de los MonterosAmbassador1945–1948Former
Francisco Castillo NájeraAmbassador1935–1945Former
Fernando González RoaAmbassador1933–1934Former
José Manuel Puig CasaurancAmbassador1931–1933Former
Manuel C. TéllezAmbassador1925–1931Former
Manuel C. TéllezChargé d’affaires1921–1924Former
Manuel Y. de NegriChargé d’affaires1921–1921Former
Manuel C. TéllezChargé d’affaires1920–1921Former
Roberto V. PesqueiraAgent1920–1920Former
Fernando Iglesias CalderónAmbassador1920–1920Former
Ignacio L. BonillasAmbassador1917–1920Former
Eliseo ArredondoAmbassador1916–1917Former
Eliseo ArredondoAgent1914–1915Former
Rafael Zubarán CapmanyAgent1914–1914Former
Juan Francisco UrquidiAgent1914–1914Former
Roberto V. PesqueiraAgent1913–1914Former
Manuel Pérez RomeroAgent1913–1913Former
Manuel Calero y SierraAmbassador1912–1912Former
Gilberto Crespo y MartínezAmbassador1911–1912Former
Manuel María de Zamacona e InclánAmbassador1911–1911Former
Francisco León de la Barra y QuijanoAmbassador1909–1911Former
Enrique C. Creel CuiltyAmbassador1907–1908Former
Balbino DávalosChargé d’affaires1906–1907Former
Joaquín D. CasasúsAmbassador1905–1906Former
Federico Gamboa IglesiasChargé d’affaires1905–1905Former
Manuel AzpírozAmbassador1899–1905Former
Matías RomeroMinister1893–1898Former
Matías RomeroMinister1882–1891Former
Manuel María de Zamacona y MorfiMinister1878–1882Former
José Tomás de CuéllarChargé d’affaires1877–1878Former
José María MataMinister1877–1877Former
Ignacio MariscalMinister1869–1877Former
Cayetano RomeroHead of mission1868–1869Former
Matías RomeroMinister1863–1868Former
Matías RomeroChargé d’affaires1862–1863Former
Matías RomeroChargé d’affaires1860–1862Former
José María MataMinister1859–1860Former
Gregorio BarandariánChargé d’affaires1858–1859Former
Manuel Robles PezuelaMinister1856–1858Former
Juan Nepomuceno AlmonteMinister1853–1856Former
Manuel LarráinzarMinister1852–1853Former
Luis de la Rosa OteizaMinister1848–1852Former
Juan Nepomuceno AlmonteMinister1842–1845Former
Joaquín Velázquez de LeónChargé d’affaires1842–1842Former
Francisco Pizarro MartínezMinister1837–1840Former
Joaquín María del Castillo y LanzasChargé d’affaires1836–1837Former
Manuel Eduardo de GorostizaMinister1836–1836Former
Joaquín María del Castillo y LanzasChargé d’affaires1834–1836Former
José María MontoyaChargé d’affaires1831–1833Former
José María TornelMinister1829–1831Former
José María MontoyaChargé d’affaires1828–1830Former
Pablo ObregónMinister1824–1828Former
José Anastasio TorrensChargé d’affaires1823–1824Former
José Manuel Zozaya BermúdezMinister1822–1823Former