The decision to include an "Afro" category is a major step toward recognizing the country's Black population, many of whom are descendants of  enslaved people forcibly removed from Africa during the height of the Atlantic slave trade. Mexico was one of only two Latin American countries (the other being Chile) that did not recognize its Black citizens on the national census. This stemmed in part from the ideological leaders of post-independence Mexico who created the concept of "mestizaje," a national identity that did not incorporate Afro Mexicans. The result was the long-term marginalization and neglect of the nation's Black population.

This new inclusion comes after much work from Afro-Mexican community activists who petitioned national leaders and organized for recognition. In addition, the country's Human Rights Commission organized a forum earlier this year to address anti-Black discrimination and policies to fight it.