S8 Ep970: Evan Ellis details regional tensions: former Mexican President AMLO accuses Washington of interference regarding corruption probes into his party. In Cuba, the U.S. employs "carrots and sticks" to pressure the regime. Meanwhile, Brazil's election intensif
Former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has launched a rare public attack on the United States, accusing Washington of using 'interventionist and unscrupulous practices' to undermine his leftist Morena Party ahead of Mexico’s upcoming midterms. The clash centers on U.S. actions targeting Mexican governors linked to corruption and narco-trafficking, including the naming of Sinaloa’s Rubén Rocha Moya for extradition and visa revocations for leaders in Sonora and Tamaulipas. While AMLO frames this as political interference, analyst Evan Ellis suggests the U.S. cases are substantively strong and that AMLO’s outburst reflects personal stakes—protecting allies within his own party. Meanwhile, in Cuba, the U.S. is employing a mix of carrots and sticks: offering satellite internet and $100 million in aid while threatening military action and new sanctions. These moves appear aimed at pressuring the aging Castro regime and opening space for change, possibly through Raul Castro’s grandson. In Brazil, the U.S. has named two major gangs—PCC and Red Command—as narco-terrorism organizations and imposed a 25% tariff under Section 301, citing forced labor and corruption. This move, timed with Flavio Bolsonaro’s high-profile visit to Washington and meetings with Trump and Rubio, has inflamed tensions with President Lula da Silva, who called Bolsonaro a 'traitor.
AMLO publicly accuses the U.S. of political interference in Mexico, targeting governors tied to corruption and narco-trafficking to weaken his Morena Party ahead of midterms.
The U.S. is using dual pressure in Cuba: offering aid and satellite internet (carrots) while threatening military action and sanctions (sticks) to push regime change.
Brazil’s Lula da Silva is furious over a 25% U.S. tariff under Section 301, which he blames on Flavio Bolsonaro’s Washington visit and U.S. support for Bolsonaro’s campaign.
The U.S. has designated Brazil’s PCC and Red Command as narco-terrorism groups, signaling a hardline stance on transnational organized crime and aligning with Bolsonaro.
Flavio Bolsonaro received unprecedented access in Washington—meeting Trump, Rubio, and Vance—indicating U.S. efforts to tilt Brazil’s October election.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
AMLO Accuses U.S. of Interference in Mexico
“This is not the same president I dealt with in the first term. And he identifies advisors and others of having turned the president in a new direction.”
AMLO’s Personal Stake in the U.S. Pressure
Evan Ellis explains that AMLO’s outrage stems from personal investment in Morena, as the U.S. actions target allies and operatives within his own political machine.
U.S. Strategy in Cuba: Carrots and Sticks
“Offering to give $100 million in badly needed aid, which again would help to break up the monopoly that the Cuban state and its military industry, Gaisa, has over that aid.”
Brazil’s Election Under U.S. Pressure
“The U.S. is now talking about, under Section 301, I believe, a new 25% tariff on the majority of Brazilian products.”
Bolsonaro’s Washington Visit and Political Fallout
Flavio Bolsonaro’s high-level access in Washington, including meetings with Trump and Rubio, signals U.S. support for his campaign, angering Lula da Silva.
“Bottom line is that the U .S. is now talking about, under Section 301, I believe, a new 25 tariff on the majority of Brazilian products.”
“Offering to give $100 million in badly needed aid, which again would help to break up the monopoly that the Cuban state and its military industry, Gaisa, has over that aid.”
“Lopez Obrador Writer of five -page letter Reuters reports, in it he said this is not the same president I dealt with in the first term. And he identifies advisors and others of having turned the president in a new direction.”
Host
Guest
andres manuel lopez obrador
person
brazil
place
mexico
place
flavio bolsonaro
person
cuba
place
lula da silva
person
claudia sheinbaum
person
donald trump
person
raul castro
person
section 301
other
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