How much money did Mexico owe France in 1862?

Answer 1

Mexico owed France 1.6 million pesos in capital and 384,000 pesos in interests (1.984 million pesos in total). In present-day terms (2014) this would be USD 37.78 million and USD 9.07 million respectively, for a total debt of USD 46.84 million in current terms.

This may not seem a sum of money worth a war, but you must remember the ultimate goal of France was the conquest of Mexico, and at the time, gunboat diplomacy was the order of the day.

Answer 2

Mexico does not owe anything to the US, because the existing law prevents the Mexican government to acquire such kind of obligations. What it does is to sell Federal Treasury certificates (CETES), Federal Government Development bonds (BONDES), Investment Unit bonds (UDIBONOS) and other kinds of debt to private institutions, including national and international would-be purchasers. I believe the US government does not acquire such kind of debt, because it already has its own debt issue.

Answer 3

The United States currently owes Mexico $2.9 billion dollars.