Hosts Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo welcome back Melissa Ford Maldonado, now Director of the Western Hemisphere Initiative at the America First Policy Institute and co-host of the Western Front podcast. They explore the dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the Western Hemisphere, the resurgence of the Monroe Doctrine in recent national security strategies, and how regional crises—from Venezuela's turmoil to evolving U.S.-Colombia relations under Presidents Trump and Petro—are reshaping America's backyard.

Topics include the strategic importance of Colombia as a non-NATO ally, recent diplomatic tensions and breakthroughs, upcoming elections in the region, and broader implications for Mexico and U.S. border security. Plus, an opening reflection on Greenland's geopolitical opportunities.

Referenced in this episode:

• Greenland shows the limits and opportunities of Danish statecraft

Hosts Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo begin by looking at a new poll showing declining approval for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (though it's still above 70%).

Then they discuss a rumor that the Trump administration sent Mexico a list requesting cartel-connected political figures to be delivered to the United States.

Referenced in this episode:

• Mexico’s Mighty Left-Wing Government is Floundering
• Dozens Of Mexican Cartel Fugitives Flown To The U.S. To Face Justice

Hosts Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo react to the January 3rd raid on Caracas that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. They examine the Venezuelan narco-state, its actions that led to this historic moment, and what distinguishes this from previous U.S. attempts at regime change.

They also discuss what could be next for Mexico, whose Morena regime openly condemned the U.S. operation.

Referenced in this episode:

In Venezuela, the Era of Escaping Consequences Is Over: https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/in-venezuela-the-era-of-escaping-consequences-is-over/

Mexico Is Acting Like an Adversary to the U.S.: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/mexico-is-acting-like-an-adversary-to-the-u-s-5ed0b781

Morena's Proyecto de Nación (2024-2030): https://morenademocracia.mx/proyecto-de-nacion-2024-2030/

Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-country/id1671237964

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iz8VwMiAU7FvW7Ewj9Vez

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Hosts Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo react to recent revelations about Russian spies residing in Mexico, President Trump threatening Mexico with higher tariffs over a water treaty, and opportunities to extract concessions in the upcoming USMCA trade agreement review.

They also discuss Mexico's refusal to give up cartel-connected political figures, President Claudia Sheinbaum's response to nine Mexican mayors being murdered in the past year, and Joshua's latest op-ed on Venezuela.

Referenced in this episode:

• New York Times: The U.S. Gave Mexico a List of Russian Spies. Mexico Let Them Stay.
• Reuters: Trump threatens Mexico with 5% tariff increase over water dispute
• Wall Street Journal: How to Save Trump’s USMCA
• Wall Street Journal: ‘Welcome to America!’ Captured Drug Lords Choose: Snitch or Suffer
• Wall Street Journal: Mexico’s President Has a Murder Problem
• Sheinbaum Announces the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice
• National Review: What Brought the Trump Administration to the Brink with the Venezuelan Regime

Mexico preaches the Estrada Doctrine of “non-intervention”—but the MORENA regime under AMLO and Claudia Sheinbaum has propped up dictators in Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and beyond while trafficking millions across the U.S. border. Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo trace the hypocrisy from the 1860s French invasion and Maximilian’s fall to today’s oil shipments to Havana and Cuban “doctors” (read: spies) in Mexico City.

00:00 – Intro: Lincoln, Maximilian, and the birth of U.S. non-recognition
02:15 – The Estrada Doctrine: 1930 promise Mexico never kept
05:40 – Spanish Civil War: Mexico arms the Reds alongside Stalin
08:10 – 1915 Plan de San Diego: Mexican-backed race war in Texas
12:30 – 2019: Mexican Air Force rescues Evo Morales
15:45 – CELAC vs. OAS: MORENA’s anti-U.S. parallel summit
19:20 – Sheinbaum at CELAC 2025: “No coercion”… while sending oil to Maduro
22:50 – Cuban agents in Mexico & record oil exports to Havana
26:30 – María Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize—and Sheinbaum’s silence

Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo break down a provocative New Yorker article about the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles and its role during immigration raids in MacArthur Park. They dive into the complex dynamics of Mexican identity, U.S.-Mexico relations, and the historical roots of Los Angeles—challenging the narrative that it remains a "Mexican city."

They also explore Mexico’s 700th anniversary celebration of Tenochtitlan, the controversial projection of Aztec imagery onto Mexico City’s Catholic cathedral, and the bold move by a local mayor to remove statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

Sources referenced in the episode:

• The Fight for Mexican Los Angeles
• Mexican Migration Project
• President Claudia Sheinbaum's post on X

Dive into the complex relationship between Mexico and Spain in this captivating episode of The Hard Country. Hosts Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo explore 500 years of history, from the Spanish conquest to modern-day diplomatic drama. Why does Mexico’s civic identity reject its Spanish roots? How do figures like AMLO and Claudia Sheinbaum fuel anti-Spanish sentiment?

Discover the cultural, political, and economic ties that bind these nations, despite centuries of tension. From Hernán Cortés’ unmarked tomb to Mexico’s trade with Spain, this episode uncovers the myths, heroes, and conflicts shaping Mexico today.

TPPF's Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo discuss Joshua's findings from a recent expedition to Mexico City, with a focus on Claudia Sheinbaum's first six months as President of Mexico. They also look ahead to the upcoming deadline for reauthorizing the USMCA trade agreement.

Sources referenced in the episode:

TPPF Issues Recommendations for Aggressive Diplomacy with Mexico

Morena's Proyecto de Nación (2024-2030)