The Modern Mexico Podcast

MEXICO'S ECONOMY: In the second episode of the Modern Mexico Podcast, host Nathaniel Parish Flannery speaks to the Council on Foreign Relations' Mexico expert, Shannon O'Neil, about Mexico's economy. Shannon shares her pessimism about Mexico's President Lopez Obrador's economic management and explains why she gives him an "F" for his economic stewardship. “I’m less impressed than with the overall macroeconomics, it’s not a C it’s closer to failing. Let me lay me lay out why the grade is so bad. What has allowed Mexico to grow has been…growth and expansion of the private sector. The policy choices of this government are limiting that today but also into the future. This is most visible in the energy sector. You see the state stepping in more and more. That I think is detrimental to seeing expansion of [economic] activities and jobs," she explains.

On this episode host Nathaniel Parish Flannery talks to Mexico historian Benjamin T. Smith about his new book, THE DOPE: THE REAL HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN DRUG TRADE. During the discussion we talk about Mexico's narco history, the patterns that have emerged over decades, and the political power structures in Mexico that allow organized crime groups to operate. We also discuss President Andres Manuel Lopez Obador's security strategy and why he is struggling to reduce violence and crime in Mexico. Smith thinks that Lopez Obrador is trying to re-establish the same mutually beneficial relationships that Mexico's federal government maintained with drug trafficking groups during much of the 20th century. So far, however, he has failed to reduce violent crime. "It’s possible his solutions are 15 years too late. Mexico has changed. I’m not sure you can just do deals with big capos, major leaders of the so-called cartels and bring peace to Mexico. I don’t think that’s going to work," Smith explains.

Note: on March 25, 2025 a remastered audio file was uploaded which removes background music from the conversational portion of the podcast.