A comparison of the law of the sea claims of Mexico and Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The maritime claims of Mexico and Brazil, Latin American emerging or middle powers, indicate that both countries are demonstrating an increasing assertiveness over their sovereign offshore natural resources and are exerting increasingly independent foreign policies. The development of their claims provides rich source material to compare and contrast the various geographical, historical, economic, and political factors which are responsible for their positions. Mexico's exclusive economic zone seems to be the product of a historical protectionist stance over petroleum and fishery resources of the coastal zone. Military factors and dreams of global greatness seem to be secondary or absent. On the other hand, Brazil's aggressiveness was manifested in the 1970s through a 200‐mile territorial sea claim stimulated by concern over national security as well as protection of natural resources. Regardless of the differences in the tones of their maritime claims, both countries have demonstrated independent law‐of‐the‐sea positions that could be expected from nationalist middle powers.