Bilingual (Spanish/English): ¡Vamos a salvar Aztlán! El Gabinete de México, 1840

Spanish/English Bilingual

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 25 delegates

NOTE: Position papers for this committee can be written in Spanish or English. If you have any questions, please email the Chair and Crisis Manager.

With America sweeping westward under the banner of Manifest Destiny, conflict between the United States and Mexico seems almost inevitable. For years, American forces have been quietly contesting the bordering territories by encouraging pioneers to settle in Texas, California, and the greater Southwest. Mexico's hold on these territories has always been tenuous, partially due to sparse populations and underdeveloped infrastructure across vast stretches of land. Meanwhile, indigenous groups like the Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula press Mexico for autonomy, and the government is in a state of constant flux as General Antonio López de Santa Anna cycles in and out of power. Delegates must prepare Mexico for potential conflict with the United States while confronting instability threatening the nation from within.

CHAIR: Andrea Ramirez

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Issue 1: Military Strategy: Using the points system, delegates must determine how they want to defend Mexico’s vast and unguarded North. This could include putting troops right up on the border, or maybe setting up outposts closer to the Colorado River. Additionally, the committee needs to decide if they want to rely on the traditional military or recruit irregular forces such as Mayan warriors or mercenaries. Mexico is already starting behind the U.S., so these 6 years before the war will be critical in giving Mexico a chance. 

Issue 2: System of Governance: The Second Federal Mexican Republic is in an ongoing conflict between the Federalist model of government upon which the republic was founded and Caudillos who take significant influence in the government, such as Antonio López de Santa Anna. Caudillos are scattered across the country, and the committee must decide whether to attempt to consolidate power or grant greater autonomy to the regional authorities. 

Issue 3: Foreign Alliances: Alliances could be the key to giving Mexico an edge in the war, and delegates must decide how to build relationships leading up to the war. They could try to boost relations with their Central American neighbors, who were recently part of their country, or maybe reach out to South America. Mexico could pivot and seek to reach out to Europe or to secessionist movements within the United States to gain support. The main point is that Mexico has no truly “reliable allies,” meaning that any diplomatic overture will require significant negotiations. 

About the Chair

Andrea Ramirez is a member of the Class of 2029 in the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences, studying Biology of Global Health on the pre-med track. Originally from Puerto Rico, Andrea has participated in Model United Nations for several years, serving as both a delegate and chair in local conferences. Through MUN, she has developed a passion for debate, collaboration, and creating engaging committee experiences for delegates. Outside of MUN, Andrea enjoys volunteering in her community, baking, painting, and spending time with family and friends. She is also passionate about medicine and public health, especially the ways leadership and communication can create positive change. In her free time, Andrea loves crafting, listening to music, and finding any excuse to travel. Andrea is incredibly excited to welcome delegates to NAIMUN and cannot wait to see everyone’s creativity, diplomacy, and passion shine throughout the conference weekend!

About the Crisis manager

Juan Francisco Herrera is a member of the Class of 2029 in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, studying International Politics with a concentration in International Law and minoring in Latin American Studies and Global Development. Juan Francisco was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, where he participated in interhouse debates, as well as Model UN as Delegate and Chair multiple times. At Georgetown, he has staffed NCSC and NAIMUN’s LXIII Bilingual Committee, which is why he is eager to bring his experience to this year’s committee. Outside of MUN, Juan Francisco enjoys choreographing for Georgetown’s Latin Dance Team, Ritmo y Sabor. In his free time, Juan Francisco loves eating, travelling, spending quality time with friends and family, and learning every lyric to every song in Spanish that you could imagine. Juan can’t wait to meet all the delegates and see all their creativity flourish throughout conference weekend!