Forty-two years ago today, RN visited Mexico for an official state visit. Arriving in Puerto Vallarta, it was his first state visit to a Latin American country and he noted the occasion in a personal way:
Mr. President, as I’m sure you know, it is for Mrs. Nixon and me a very special, personal honor to return to this country on a state visit, because of our memories of our first visit to Mexico 30 years ago–on our wedding trip.
He further noted:
Many things have happened, since that time 30 years ago, to Mexico. Many changes have occurred. But one thing has not changed, and that is that there is warm friendship and warm hospitality for all of those who come as visitors to this country. It was true then and we see it today, and we are grateful for this welcome.
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, the President of Mexico, responded with pleasure and promised that the talks between he and RN would be carried on “with frankness, with the loyalty due among friends, and with the respect due to the representatives of two neighboring, friendly countries, and I am sure that the result of these conversations will be most fruitful.”