New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez plans to attend a Cinco de Mayo celebration this week at the vice president's residence in Washington, D.C.
The governor's office said Wednesday that Vice President Joe Biden had invited Martinez to Friday's event, but the state is paying for the governor's travel expenses.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates an 1862 Mexican military victory against invading French forces.
The Republican governor leaves for the nation's capital late Thursday and will return to New Mexico on Friday after the event.
Martinez traveled with Biden to Rome in March as part of a delegation attending the installation of Pope Francis.
The governor traces her family roots to Mexico. Her great-grandfather was a general who fought with revolutionary leader Pancho Villa a century ago.