The Bucareli Treaty resolved U.S. property claims from the Mexican Revolution and secured American diplomatic recognition of Obregón's government.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- August 13, 1923
- Negotiation start
- May 15, 1923
- Meeting location
- 85 Bucareli Street, Mexico City
- Mexican signatory
- President Álvaro Obregón
- U.S. president at time
- Warren G. Harding
- Claims period covered
- Mexican Revolution, 1910–1921
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Mexican Revolution from 1910 to 1921 damaged or destroyed property owned by U.S. companies and citizens. Mexico under President Álvaro Obregón sought formal diplomatic recognition from the United States, which withheld recognition pending resolution of these property disputes and concerns over potential expropriation under Mexico's 1917 constitution.
Negotiations opened on May 15, 1923, and concluded on August 13, 1923, in a federal building at 85 Bucareli Street in Mexico City. The resulting agreement settled U.S. property loss claims from the Revolution, established rules on compensation if American landholdings or subsoil rights were expropriated for Mexican public use, and was signed by President Obregón to secure U.S. diplomatic recognition.
The United States extended diplomatic recognition to the Obregón government following the treaty's signing. However, ratification was ambiguous in the U.S. and contentious in Mexico. President Plutarco Elías Calles initially agreed to comply but later canceled the treaty, leaving its long-term legal standing unresolved and contributing to ongoing U.S.–Mexico tensions over oil and land rights.
Political Outcome
Agreement reached settling U.S. property claims from the Mexican Revolution; U.S. diplomatic recognition of Obregón's government granted, though the treaty was later canceled by President Calles.
Mexico lacked U.S. diplomatic recognition; unresolved U.S. property claims from the Revolution created bilateral tension.
U.S. diplomatic recognition of Mexico restored; property claim framework established, though subsequently annulled by Mexico.