The United Nations and Mexican international thought: Alfonso García Robles

Abstract

Alfonso García Robles, a Mexican diplomat, dedicated a significant portion of his career to pursuing nuclear disarmament due to his profound concern for the potential devastation these weapons could inflict on humanity. Despite his pivotal role in crafting the Treaty of Tlatelolco and his contributions to the United Nations, García Robles remains relatively unknown in international relations and the history of international thought. This study seeks to address this gap by examining García Robles’ international thought. The research aims and contributes to resurrect García Robles’ world-view and offers insights for contemporary policymakers and scholars interested in international affairs, particularly those seeking perspectives from the global south. Key findings emphasize García Robles’ commitment to pragmatic diplomacy in achieving nuclear disarmament, his capacity to bridge superpower divisions during the Cold War, and his unique worldview that balances respect for International Law with an understanding of historical context and other factors influencing state behavior. This study thus positions García Robles as a significant neglected figure in the history of international thought, highlighting the enduring relevance of his work.