The government of Mexico has taken swift retaliatory action following Canada’s decision to make visas compulsory for Mexicans.
All Canadian diplomats and government officials will now need to apply for visas to enter Mexico.
Despite calls from legislators, the Mexican government decided not to take reciprocal measures and demand that all Canadian citizens require a visa for Mexico. Around 1.3 million Canadians visit Mexico each year, mostly for recreational purposes.
Mexico’s federal Congress Wednesday passed a motion demanding that the Canadian government implement a 45-day grace period in the visa requirement so Mexicans with tickets for Canada aren’t hampered in their travel plans.
Anti-Canadian sentiment is running high on Mexican radio stations and over the Internet. Posters on Facebook sites compare Canada to the United States and complain of the poor treatment of Mexicans waiting in line for visas outside the Canadian embassy in Mexico City.
The Czech Republic recalled its ambassador Wednesday from Ottawa in protest after being slapped with the same visa constraints as Mexico. The European Union is also upset at Canada’s move and Sweden, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said it favors a retaliatory visa on Canadian tourists visiting the 27-country bloc.
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