From Counter-narcotics to Counterterror

The United States has dramatically escalated its use of force against drug trafficking organizations in the Western Hemisphere, many of whom have also been designated as terrorist entities by the Trump administration. At a basic level, this signals a shift in U.S. national security priorities, but it also opens a host of political, legal, and practical questions about the role of military force in the fight against organized crime. In this episode, Rubi Bledsoe sits down with Aileen Teague, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Together they discuss her recent book, Policing on Drugs: The United States, Mexico, and the Origins of the Modern Drug War, 1969-2000. They also delve into recent U.S. interventions against drug trafficking organizations and where U.S. security policy might evolve from here. Use Discount Code: AUFLY30 for 30 percent off on the book.

Canada and Mexico are not only the United States’ top trading partners – they are also indispensable players in North American supply chains, but have historically, approached Washington separately, preferring bilateral negotiations. Yet, as trade tensions rise with the Trump Administration’s tariffs intended to reshore manufacturing to the United States, raising questions about competitiveness, supply chains and the resilience of trilateral relations in the region, both Canada and Mexico appear to be discovering common ground, reshaping political calculations and opening new avenues for cooperation. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Graeme Clark, former Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and the OAS. Together, they discuss the history of Canada-Mexico relations, the tensions that have put the relationship under pressure, and windows for potential collaboration.

China’s presence in Mexico has grown dramatically over the past two decades. While Chinese investment across Latin America has been commodity-driven, in Mexico the story is different. Chinese firms are embedding themselves in manufacturing supply chains, wholesale trade, telecommunications, and real estate – with over 800 companies active in Mexico as of 2025. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Heidi Jane Smith, professor of economics at La Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Together, they unpack Beijing's strategy for engagement with Mexico, and the data behind China's investments. They also explore how the U.S.-Mexico relationship has been impacted by the latter's dealings with China, and likely pathways forward.

For decades, educational exchanges have served as a cornerstone of U.S. soft power, aimed at promoting goodwill, cross-cultural understanding, and enduring regional partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean. Each year, more than 80,000 students from the region pursue studies in the United States and more than 30,000 Americans study abroad in the region. In this episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Gerardo Blanco, associate professor of Higher Education and Academic Director of the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College. Together, they discuss the benefits of educational exchange for the United States and Latin American countries, including the relevance of these exchanges for soft power and diplomatic competition. They also explore how recent tensions around immigration have spilled over into the educational realm, and how the United States, alongside its regional partners, can move forward in this environment.

Seven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean recognize Taiwan in lieu of the People’s Republic of China, the most of any other region in the world. However, the number of formal Taiwan allies has been in steady decline, particularly since 2017 when Panama changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing and joined the Belt and Road Initiative. Today, Taiwan’s status among its remaining allies appears to be under increasing pressure. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Henry Large, a Rhodes Scholar and Doctoral candidate in Latin American Studies at the University of Oxford. Together, they discuss the history behind Panama's 2017 switch, the state of Taiwan's relationships with the region today, and why diplomatic allies matter for Taipei. They also discuss how the United States, which itself does not formally recognize Taiwan, can be a better partner in promoting ties with the region.

Since its founding in 1948, the Organization of American States (OAS) has served as the premier forum for advancing regional priorities facing the Western Hemisphere, becoming the oldest and only multilateral institution that provides a platform for dialogue and cooperation to all countries in the hemisphere. On March 10 of this year, the OAS member states elected Albert Ramdin, Suriname’s former Foreign Minister, as the organization’s new Secretary General, becoming the first Caribbean representative to head the organization in its history.   In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with His Excellency Albert R. Ramdin, Secretary General of the OAS. Together they discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the OAS today, the Secretary General's vision for leadership, and plans for the organization. They also delve into the role of the OAS in Haiti, and how the organization can play a role in helping to stabilize the country's compounding crises.

This June, Mexico held its first-ever nationwide judicial elections to determine the justices who would serve at the state and local levels throughout the country, and even on the Supreme Court itself. In an overall confusing affair, the vote drew just 13 percent turnout, while nearly a quarter of the few ballots that were cast were spoiled or left blank. But the chaos of the election is likely only a prelude, as the victors begin to take office a major shakeup in Mexico’s legal system is on the horizon.  In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Arturo Sarukhan, Senior Advisor with the CSIS Americas Program and Javier Martín Reyes, Nonresident Scholar at the Center for the United States and Mexico at the Baker Institute and a Researcher at the Legal Research Institute at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Together, the three discuss the state of institutional checks and balances in Mexico, future challenges to rule of law, and the options for companies to deal with an increasingly politicized judicial system. They also explore how direct election of judges may create new avenues for co-optation by organized crime.

This episode of 35 West originally aired on October 17, 2024. Since the blatant electoral fraud that took place on July 28, the Maduro regime in Venezuela has sought to repress its way out of mass protests demanding political change. The regime’s heavy-handed crackdown comes at a time when the International Criminal Court has already been investigating Venezuela for alleged crimes against humanity. As the regime seeks to silence dissent and close the civic space, this pending case may represent one of the few remaining levers the international community can apply to instill restraint, but only if such an approach is carefully considered. In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Santiago Canton, Secretary General of the International Commission of Jurists and a member of the Panel of Independent International Experts on the Possible Commission of Crimes against Humanity in Venezuela of the Organization of American States. Together, they discuss the state of the ICC's investigation and how it is likely to develop in light of the abuses the regime has committed in the past three months. They also delve into the debate around whether the ICC case represents an impediment to political change, or if it remains a useful means of applying pressure on the regime.

Argentina is a country that has historically been relatively insulated from organized crime dynamics, but the country has seen continued organized crime activity in important cities such as Rosario. One year into Javier Milei’s first term, security has improved with decreasing homicide rates, however challenges remain especially as transnational groups seek to continue expanding their presence in Argentina.  In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Martin Verrier, Secretary for the Fight Against Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime in Argentina. Together, they discuss the ways in which Argentina is seeking to disrupt transnational criminal groups operating in its territory, as well as improve cooperation with regional partners. They also delve into the state of Argentina-U.S. cooperation, and avenues for further progress in combatting crime and drug trafficking.

In the past month or so, President Nayib Bukele’s government has sharply intensified its repression of civil society and independent voices in El Salvador.  Journalists have been forced into exile, civil society organizations are being weakened by a new Foreign Agents Law, and former officials, activists, and NGO workers are being jailed on dubious charges. These developments mark a new phase in Bukele’s crackdown—one that relies not only on emergency powers but increasingly on legal and financial tools to silence dissent.  In this episode, Juliana Rubio sits down with Leonor Arteaga Rubio, Program Director at the Due Process of Law Foundation. Together, they discuss what recent arrests and crackdowns in El Salvador mean for the remaining checks on government power. They also explore how civil society has adapted in order to continue raising alarms about corruption and abuse of power.