Podcast
Mexico Matters
Hosted by Center for Strategic and International Studies · EN
The Mexico Matters podcast series highlights key developments in Mexico and their impact on the United States.
Produced by Marla Hiller.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Iran, the World Cup, and the New Asymmetric Front: A Global Game of Chicken
2w ago00:25:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with counter-terrorism and Middle East expert Dan Byman to dissect the current state of the US-Iran conflict and its potential impact on the upcoming North American World Cup 2026. They analyze Iran’s increased deterrence positioning with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, their use of asymmetric warfare, and lay potentials scenarios to explain Iran’s current terrorism restraint. Is it a sign of incapacity or strategic pause? They also discuss the importance for the Iran’s soccer players to participate in the sporting tournament,ent and the risks it implies from a security and diplomatic perspective. They discuss why Mexico can be a security “soft spot” as the country maintains diplomatic ties with Teheran, and the bigger challenges posed by a lone person attack.
Transcribe →It's the Monopolies, Stupid
Apr 900:49:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with Adolfo Babatz, Founder and CEO of Clip, the company that transformed the Mexican streetscape by not only putting a payment terminal into the hands of micro-merchants but also by offering them financial services to help them become more efficient to survive. They discuss the structural issues blocking Mexico’s fintech revolution and digital currency adoption. They also explore what other countries like Brazil and India have done to reduce the attractiveness of cash, the impact of AI on Clip and Latin America, and which model will the region follow: the “Super App” model of China, or the fragmented, specialized approach of the U.S. Lastly, they touch upon Adolfo’s personal qualities and his mission to bridge the socioeconomic gap between the banked and unbanked merchants.
Transcribe →U.S.-Mexico Tensions in the Era of the Don-Roe Doctrine
Feb 2300:38:02Tap to summarizeNote: This episode was recorded on February 17th, 2026, before the death of Mexican cartel leader “El Mencho.” In this episode, Mariana speaks with Jorge Castaneda, a Mexican politician and academic who served as Secretary of State from 2000 to 2003. They discuss President Trump’s high-pressure stance toward Mexico and how President Sheinbaum has thus far been able to navigate his demands while avoiding a face-to-face meeting. They also explore the on-the-ground realities behind President Trump’s claims that Mexican trafficking organizations are allied with the government, the recent shifts in Mexico's security strategy, and the risks of a unilateral U.S. incursion. Finally, the conversation turns to the broader region, examining the likelihood of regime change in Cuba, the evolving situation in Venezuela, and the anticipated pushback to the new "Don-Roe Doctrine" in South America. As these nations increasingly depend on China as a primary market for commodities and a major source of foreign direct investment, the tension between U.S. hemispheric policy and global economic realities has never been higher.
Transcribe →Trump the Price Setter, Mexico the Price Taker
Jan 2000:41:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with Alan Stoga, former partner of Henry Kissinger and Chairman of the Tallberg Foundations, about the historical consequences of the Trump presidency, how the world we grow up in is morphing, and what is likely to be America’s role in this new world. They also discuss how countries like Mexico will not only have to learn how to adapt to this new context but also recognize that President Trump will not shy away from merging economic, commercial, military and security tools to achieve his desired outcomes. Lastly, they discern how the Don-Roe Doctrine is different (or similar) to the traditional U.S. approach towards Latin America, and how, in this context, China's presence in the Americas might be challenged.
Transcribe →Until You Run Out of Other People’s Money
Dec 1900:36:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with Juan Pablo Spinetto, an opinion columnist at Bloomberg covering Latin America business, economic affairs and politics, about President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first year in office. They discuss the differences in her style and policies from her predecessor, the popularity and sustainability of her government’s entitlements, and the biggest challenges she and Mexico will face in 2026, particularly when renewing (or renegotiating with President Trump) the North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA). They also talk about the rationale behind Mexico’s recent imposition of a 50% tariff on 1,400 goods coming from China and other Asia countries and the potential short term impact these tariffs might have on Mexican consumers and manufacturers. Lastly, the touch upon the current U.S. military build up in the Caribbean and the economic pressure the U.S. is currently imposing on the Venezuelan regime, as well as the geopolitical risks in the region of a U.S. intervention.
Transcribe →AI: Leapfrogging into the Future
Oct 2100:40:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with Jimena Pardo and Federico Antoni, Managing Partners of Hi Ventures, a Venture Capital fund investing in AI startups in Latin America. They discuss how a second generation of entrepreneurs are applying AI to find unique solutions and what potential economic (and other) benefits AI could bring to the region. They also speak about how AI is being used and adapted at the same time than in any developed country, as opposed to the Internet, smart phones or other technologies which took years to penetrate due to a lack of infrastructure. They also explain how WhatsApp has helped to familiarize most people in the region with AI tools to conduct day-to-day activities. They analyze how AI’s productivity benefits might be greater in the region as AI allows businesses with systems dating back to the 1980s to leapfrog into the future. And they visit the problems in the region where AI entrepreneurs are focusing their attention, how most entrepreneurs thus far are adapting U.S. vs Chinese platforms and list the key gaps that need to be addressed to allow the region to reap AI’s potential.
Transcribe →Can the U.S. Win the Narcos War?
Sep 1100:47:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with Ioan Grillo, a journalist and prolific author specializing in organized crime and drug trafficking. They discuss how and why security cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico has increased to historic levels—fueled by the threats and demands imposed by President Trump, the impact U.S.-Mexican cooperation could actually have (and is starting to have) on the ground, the power and control organized crime exerts in large parts of the Mexican territory, and the size of the U.S. drug market which fuels this vicious circle. They also speak about the internal cartel wars, benefits that the designation of cartels as terror organizations could bring, the complications of going after the money, and how the use of military grade weaponry is changing the realities of this war.
Transcribe →Breaking All the Rules
Aug 400:44:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with Juan Carlos Baker, former USMCA negotiator and Director General for North America at the Ministry of the Economy, about the impact tariffs have had on Mexico and how they have served President’s Trump goal of curbing the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. They also discuss why 83% of Mexican exports are currently being exempted from tariffs, the consequences of the U.S. signing agreements with Japan, Europe, South Korea before its largest trading partner, and the unintended (or intended) consequences for North American automobile manufacturers who are still subject to 25% tariffs. They also offer a factual description behind Chinese exports and investments in Mexico and on how Mexico has been in breach of USMCA.
Transcribe →Benefiting Cartels by Law
Jul 700:27:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with former Supreme Court Minister, Jose Ramon Cosío about the implications of the judicial constitutional reform pushed by President Claudia Sheinbaum and passed by Mexico’s Congress. The reform effectively kills the independence of all local, state, and federal judges as they now must go through elections like any other local, state, or federal politician. Under the new laws, approximately 2,000 judges have been fired and are being replaced by those recently elected out of a pool of approximately 7,700 candidates. Mariana and Jose also discuss the likelihood of the new laws benefiting organized crime organizations, foreign governments, or specific interest groups—or any other group with enough resources to support specific candidates. They speak about how these new laws are also a reversal to the rule of law and how the lack of certainty will hurt Mexico’s attractiveness as an investment destination, both national and international.
Transcribe →More Carrots and Less Sticks
May 15, 202500:35:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mariana speaks with Dr. Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at CSIS, about China’s increased presence in Latin America, transforming itself from a distant economic partner into a central player in Latin America’s trade, infrastructure, and key strategic technology sectors. They also discuss how the new Trump Administration appears to be abandoning a policy of strategic neglect and is turning its attention towards the region. In addition, they discuss how Latin American countries don’t want to pick between the two biggest world economies and how the US can solve this dilemma by offering private-public partnerships in key strategic sectors. Lastly, they analyze how various Latin countries are following the US in raising tariffs to protect their own industries from Chinese overcapacity, and why Mexico must live up to its commitment and start tracking Chinese investment in the country, particularly in sensitive areas to maintain the trust of the Trump Administration.
Transcribe →