[2] Although Heydarism became significant for the national politics and Azeri society, Aliyev has been criticized internationally, being described as an "iron fist" leader,[4] "dictator",[5] and "authoritarian".

[6] In December 1991, Mexico recognized the independence of Azerbaijan after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and diplomatic relations were established the following month.

[10] The accorded space was named "Mexico-Azerbaijan Friendship Park" (Spanish: Parque de la Amistad México-Azerbaiyán),[11] located along Paseo de la Reforma, at the edge of Chapultepec,[12] the area measures 1,700 square meters (18,298 sq ft), illuminated with solar street lights.

[1] Tracy Wilkinson of Los Angeles Times described the memorial as "Aliyev [sitting] on a white marble pedestal [with] his name embossed in golden letters" and placed "in front of a jagged stone map of Azerbaijan";[14] the latter is almost eight meters high (up to 26 ft).

[15] According to Mukhtarov, the embassy never gave money directly to the city but paid private construction companies for the improvement of the areas.

[15] By November 2011, after researching Aliyev further,[12] the CRC withdrew their endorsement and requested that the government of the city reconsider the installation of the statue.

[30][31] It was transported to a warehouse of the Urban Development and Housing Secretariat, located at Camarones Avenue and Eloudy Street,[24] colonia (Mexican Spanish for "neighborhood") of Del Recreo in the Azcapotzalco borough.

[21] Joshua Kucera described the place as "strewn with debris and stacks of bricks", calling it an "ignominious fate" for Aliyev.

[32] Salvador Campos, former Mexican ambassador to Azerbaijan and Turkey, considered the problem was that the government of Mexico City never consulted the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

[9] As a consequence, Azerbaijan withdrew 3.8 billion US dollars of investment that would be used for building oil refineries and for improving public spaces in Mexico.

[33][34] On account of the controversy, the Committee for Monuments and Artistic Works in Public Spaces (Comité de Monumentos y Obras Artísticas en Espacios Públicos, COMAEP) was created to avoid similar incidents in the city.