Calderon: Take ‘United States’ out of Mexico

Mexican President Felipe Calderon says he wants his country’s name changed from Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States), the name it was given in 1824, to just Mexico.

Calderon, who leaves office on December 1 after six years in charge, said on Thursday that his country does not need to copy anyone, in a clear reference to its northern neighbor, AFP reported.

The country was named the United Mexican States after its independence from Spain, but the name is rarely used except on official documents, money, and other government material.

“It’s time we Mexicans again take up the beauty and simplicity of the name of our fatherland: Mexico. A name we chant, we sing, that makes us happy and fills us with pride,” he said.

“The name of our country does not have to continue emulating other nations as it was done in the 19th century,” the conservative leader added.

Calderon said that he would send the proposal for constitutional reform enabling the name change to Congress. Before introduction into the current Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, the new reform would have to be approved by both houses of Congress and a majority of Mexico’s 31 state legislatures.

“It is a matter of major importance, because a country’s name expresses a symbolic relationship with all that it is, with its people, its origins, its culture, its customs, and above all its identity,” the president said.