Palencia also competed internationally for Mexico from 1996 to 2009. He won the Gold Cup in 1996, 1998, and 2003 and the Confederations Cup in 1999. With Mexico he reached the quarterfinals of the 1996 Summer Olympics. He also played in the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2002 but could not advance past the Round of 16. Palencia played in 539 games in his professional career and scored 137 goals. He also played in 80 games for Mexico scoring 12 goals.
