Recognizing Mexican Culture Abroad

Being an active member of the international community doesn’t mean forgetting your home country. Raúl Torres ’11 is Mexico’s youngest member of Congress; he represents Mexicans abroad.

Raúl is the first congressman to hold this position, as the constitution was only amended to allow for the role in 2021. He credits his international perspective, honed at AUP, with helping him reach out to Mexicans across Europe, tipping the election in his favor. “I’m creating a network of Mexicans around the world to show what the diaspora is doing and to tell people’s stories,” he explains.

Alumnus Raúl Torres representsMexicans abroad in Congress

I’m creating a network of Mexicans around the world to show what the diaspora is doing and to tell people’s stories.

As part of his responsibilities, Raúl presented, on behalf of Congress, a medal that celebrates Mexican heritage and traditions around the world: the Mérito Internacional 2021. For the first time, the medal has been awarded to a Mexican migrant living outside of the country: Miguel “Misha” Vaylon, author of the book Moi Frida, which explores Frida Kahlo’s time exhibiting in France in 1939. Vaylon comes from Coyoacán, a municipality of Mexico City, and is a proud member of the LGBT community.