UN General Assembly
1947

I come from a country with a population of more than twenty-two million people, a country whose Government has at its disposal to cover all its administrative expenses — defence, transport, health, ports, agriculture and education — a sum equal to only one dollar a month per inhabitant. And yet its people, the people of Mexico, is a peace-loving people. A few months ago we had to restrict many of our imports in order not to add to the problems of universal economic insecurity, that of the collapse of our currency, which was devalued some time ago. And yet, we are a peace-loving people. As a result of our social revolution, Mexico had to pay considerable compensation to various Governments of America and Europe for damages suffered by their nationals in the course of that revolution. On the other hand, now that the war is over, we have not received any assurance that we shall be paid the just compensation to which we are entitled. And yet, we are a peace- loving people.