Mexico Refuses Full Membership of Peace Council — Here's Why

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that her country will not join the Peace Council, led by United States President Donald Trump, as a full member. The reason, Sheinbaum said, is the lack of Palestinian representation within the Peace Council.

“Given that we recognise Palestine as a state, it is important for both nations, Israel and Palestine, to participate. However, the system was not designed that way,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Wednesday (18 February 2026).

Sheinbaum’s statement was delivered ahead of the inaugural summit of Peace Council member states, scheduled for Thursday (19 February) in Washington DC.

Sheinbaum said Mexico would send its Ambassador to the United Nations as an observer at the meeting.

“They invited us to attend as an observer; if we are not going to participate, then attend as an observer. And together with the Foreign Minister, we decided that our Ambassador to the UN would attend as an observer,” she said.

Sheinbaum has voiced her support for Palestine, describing Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people as genocide and calling for a two-state solution.

Sheinbaum’s remarks came after Trump announced that the Peace Council members’ meeting would be held at the Donald J Trump Peace Institute in Washington DC on 19 February US time.

In a statement posted on the social media platform Truth Social on Sunday (15 February), Trump said that at the meeting, Peace Council member nations would announce commitments of more than US$5 billion for Gaza reconstruction.

“We will announce that member nations have pledged more than US$5 billion for humanitarian efforts and the reconstruction of Gaza,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also said that Peace Council member nations had “committed thousands of personnel for the International Stabilisation Force and local policing to maintain security and peace for the people of Gaza”.

Furthermore, Trump claimed that the Peace Council “has unlimited potential”, referring to last month’s meeting when “two dozen distinguished founding members” joined him in Davos, Switzerland, to celebrate the council’s establishment.

“Offering a bold vision for civilians in Gaza, and then, ultimately, far beyond Gaza — WORLD PEACE,” he said.

“The Peace Council will prove to be the most influential international body in history, and it is my honour to serve as its chairman,” Trump stated.