These presidents represent the friendship
between both sides of the border. Benito Juárez was Mexico’s president
for a brief time in 1858 and again from 1867 until his death in
1872. Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States from
1861 until his death in 1865. Both presidents served under internal
national conflict. Lincoln led the U.S. Union in the Civil War
(1860-1865) that clashed the North against the South. Juárez commanded
the liberation movement in the Reform War (1858-1861) pitting
liberals against conservatives.
Though they never met personally, the common
experience of leadership during fratricidal war bonded them as
leaders. When Juárez had to flee Mexico City in 1858, Lincoln
sent him a message expressing hope "for the liberty of . . . your
government and its people." Likewise, Juárez supported the Union
even after Confederate diplomats tried to enlist Mexico’s support
for the Southern cause.
