The Mexican Gulf War
Date: 2017–2021
Location: Southern United States, Gulf of Mexico, Northern Mexico
Result: Prolonged conflict with significant territorial and political changes in both Mexico and the United States
Belligerents
- United States
- Federal Government
- State Militias
- Private Military Contractors (PMCs)
- Mexico
- Coalition of Cartels
- Insurgent Groups
- Rebel Factions
Background
The Mexican Gulf War was a major conflict that erupted along the southern border of the United States in 2017. The war was driven by a combination of factors, including escalating tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over border security, drug trafficking, and control of vital resources in the Gulf of Mexico. The war also occurred against the backdrop of a rapidly destabilizing global order, with internal strife and economic challenges plaguing both nations.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the early 21st century, as the Mexican government struggled to contain the growing power of drug cartels and insurgent groups. These factions had long sought to challenge both the Mexican state and the U.S. government's efforts to curb drug trafficking. Meanwhile, the United States, dealing with rising internal divisions and the aftermath of the 1st Mexican Gulf War, saw increasing militarization along the southern border, leading to heightened tensions between the two countries.
Prelude to War
The immediate trigger for the Mexican Gulf War was a series of coordinated attacks on U.S. coastal cities in Texas and Louisiana in early 2017. These attacks were carried out by a coalition of Mexican cartels, insurgent groups, and rebel factions, collectively known as the Nuevo Ejército Revolucionario Mexicano (New Mexican Revolutionary Army or NERM). The NERM's goal was to destabilize the southern United States and gain control of key territories and resources, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico.
The attacks were seen as a direct challenge to U.S. sovereignty and security, leading to a swift and forceful response from the U.S. federal government. The conflict quickly escalated as state militias and private military contractors were mobilized to defend the southern border and push back against the NERM.
Major Campaigns
The Texas Campaign
The Texas Campaign was one of the first major theaters of the Mexican Gulf War. The conflict in Texas was characterized by fierce urban warfare, with battles taking place in major cities such as Houston and San Antonio. State militias, bolstered by federal troops and PMCs, fought to repel NERM forces, who had gained a foothold in several key areas. The campaign also saw significant involvement from local law enforcement and civilian militias, who played a crucial role in defending their communities.
The Siege of New Orleans
In Louisiana, the Siege of New Orleans became one of the most significant and protracted battles of the war. NERM forces, seeking to control the vital port city, launched a sustained assault on New Orleans. The city's defenders, comprising federal troops, state militias, and private contractors, managed to hold the line, but at a high cost. The siege highlighted the war's impact on civilian populations, with widespread destruction and humanitarian crises emerging as key issues.
The conflict also extended into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where control of shipping lanes and offshore oil platforms became critical strategic objectives. The U.S. Navy, alongside private maritime security firms, engaged in a series of naval battles with NERM-aligned forces, including cartel-operated vessels and insurgent naval units. The naval conflict underscored the war's economic stakes, as control of the Gulf's resources became a key point of contention.
The Mississippi River Campaign
The Mississippi River Campaign was a crucial effort by U.S. forces to secure the vital waterway and prevent NERM from using it to transport supplies and personnel. The campaign saw a combination of conventional military operations and guerrilla warfare, with both sides utilizing the river's natural terrain to their advantage. The campaign was marked by numerous skirmishes, sabotage operations, and intense fighting in cities along the river, including Baton Rouge and Memphis.
Aftermath
The Mexican Gulf War did not end with a clear victor, but rather with a prolonged and uneasy stalemate. The conflict resulted in significant territorial and political changes in both Mexico and the United States. In the U.S., the war exacerbated existing tensions between the federal government and southern states, contributing to the fragmentation of the country during the Second American Civil War. The Southern Federation, initially formed during the conflict, eventually broke apart, leading to the creation of the New Confederacy, the Lone Star Republic, and the Florida Free State, among others.
In Mexico, the war led to further destabilization, with the Mexican government losing control over large swathes of territory to cartel and insurgent forces. The conflict also resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with thousands of civilians displaced and both countries suffering economic repercussions that lasted for years.
Legacy
The Mexican Gulf War is remembered as a conflict that not only reshaped the southern United States but also marked a turning point in the decline of American global dominance. The war exposed the fragility of the U.S. political system and the growing influence of non-state actors, such as private military contractors and criminal organizations. The war's legacy continues to influence the geopolitics of North America, with the fractured United States and a destabilized Mexico struggling to rebuild in the post-war world.
See Also
- Second American Civil War
- Lone Star Republic
- Florida Free State
- Southern Federation
- Nuevo Ejército Revolucionario Mexicano (NERM)
