Mexico Breaks Relations after the U.S. Landing at Veracruz

After Francisco Madero's overthrow and murder in 1913, President Woodrow Wilson refused to recognize Victoriano Huerta's government. Washington tried to restrict the flow of weapons, while Huerta sought supplies overseas. Foreign warships gathered off Mexican ports to protect their nationals and commercial interests. [1]

American sailors and marines landed at Veracruz on 21 April 1914. Mexico broke diplomatic relations the next day. Fighting at the port followed a dispute over the arrest of American sailors at Tampico and Mexico’s refusal to give the flag salute demanded by the United States. [2] [1]

President Woodrow Wilson had refused to recognize Victoriano Huerta, who held power while revolutionary armies fought his government. Occupying Veracruz put American force behind Wilson’s pressure for Huerta’s removal. It also angered Mexicans on opposing sides of the revolution. The port remained under American military control for seven months. [1]

Argentina, Brazil, and Chile offered mediation, and representatives met at Niagara Falls in May. The talks considered both American withdrawal and a replacement for Huerta, whose position was already weakening under attacks by Mexican opponents. He left office in July. American troops finally withdrew on 23 November. [1]

American chargé Nelson O'Shaughnessy received his passports and left for Veracruz after the break in relations. [2] [1]

Related Diplomats

1. Roberto V. Pesqueira [3]
2. Rómulo Sebastián Naón [4] [5] [6]
3. Domício da Gama [7] [8]

Related Reading

• Mexico and the United States