two countries”, and "which is extremely rich, not only because of our common history and culture, but also because of our commercial and human exchanges". Since May 2022, the Mexican archaeologist responsible for the excavation of Tenochtitlan, Eduardo Matos Moctezuma, was distinguished with the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences and argued that both countries should further strengthen their relations. Likewise, in October, he stated that "Spain and Mexico are linked by indissoluble ties" and that "they must move towards a promising future". Since June 2022, the Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain and the National Association of Mexican World Heritage Cities have agreed to strengthen their relations with the aim of promoting mutual cooperation and the exchange of information, experiences and good practices in matters related to the defense of heritage, culture, and tourism promotion. This agreement has been reflected in the signing of a letter of intent signed by the president of the Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain, Carlos García Carbayo, and the president of the Mexican association, Loredana Montes, after holding a meeting that they have kept in the headquarters of the Historic Center Trust of Mexico City. Subsequently, the twinning of the city of Valladolid in Castile and León (Spain) with its counterpart Valladolid in Yucatán (Mexico) was highlighted, so that both cities have been linked institutionally, promoting human contact and the cultural ties of each culture. In February 2023, the twinning of the Sanctuaries dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico and Spain was signed. Drug trafficking In 2012, four suspected members of Mexican drug cartel Sinaloa were arrested in Spain, while allegedly trying to set up a European operation. In 2013, the head of the Spanish Drugs and Organized Crime Unit (known as Udyco) believed that the Mexican drug cartels had set out to “conquer” Spain and not forge an alliance with Colombian drug organizations. In 2017, Spanish police extradited Juan Manuel Muñoz Luévano, suspected of carrying out operations for Mexican drugs cartel los Zetas in Spain, to the United States. Trade relations In 1997, Mexico signed a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, of which Spain is a member. In 2018, two-way trade between both nations amounted to US$10.8 billion. Mexico's exports to Spain include: crude oil, medicine, alcohol, fish and mobile phones; while Spanish exports to Mexico include: vehicles, vehicle parts and wine. Mexico is Spain's