US-Mexican Relations III

No tengo un subtítulo.Qué lástima.

US-MEX relations from an international security perspective (20th Century): Threat of war unlikely. Each was a theoretical security threat to

the other. Note: 19th century experience of the

Mexicans vis-à-vis the US (and early 20th)

BASIC 20TH CENTURY GOALS

MEXICO Options not available: balancing with other

states or internal development of sufficient might so as to resist.

Options available: open alliance or abnegation US: Wanted to keep Mexico from having

allies who were a military threat to the US (minimally acceptable outcome)

POLICY

1940s-late 1960s note: what was Mexico’s defense against an

extra-continental attack how does this strategy fit this reality? how is political geography relevant? note: 1951, Mexico refused to sign a defense

assistance treaty with US never broke ties with Cuba note on 41—the lack of a small military in

Mexico and the potential domestic politics implications

POLICY

Mexico:1. Eschewed alliances with any US rival2. Pursued no foreign policy interest that

the US might construe as a threat3. Failed to develop a military capability

that could resist the US4. Relied on many different international

sources for weapons5. Cooperated little or not at all with US

over international security issues

Changes over Time Breaks down in the 70s and into the 80s,

drugs become more of an issue 1980s and Central America causes its

own issues

Changes over Time 1990s: bandwagoning (def on 36)

1. Eschewed alliances with any US rival2. Pursued no foreign policy interest that the US might

construe as a threat3. Failed to develop a military capability that could resist

the US4. Built up a substantial military capability to advance joint

US-Mex anti-narcotics goals5. Tilted towards US suppliers of weapons6. Cooperated with US over int’l security, especially drugs

and tolerated some unilateral actions by the US

(source: Domínguez,, et al., 36-37)

Changes over Time ISSUES: -Border: Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo

(1848) and Gadsden Treaty/Treaty of Mesilla (1853) and the agreement over the Chamizal (ended in 1963).

-Labor/Immigration

Changes over Time -illegal immigrants -Bracero Agreement (WWII, Korea, early Cold War)—

basically a formal “guest worker” agreement -Narcotics/Intoxicants -Marijuana early on -Alcohol during prohibition -Modern Ere began in 1969 -Operation: Intercept -border closing/economic blackmail -Operations: Condor -poppy and marijuana elimination -changed US-Mex relations -Camarena assassination in 1985 -1986 and the creation of the certification

process