"Mexico's Nationalism Elevates as U.S. Tensions Increase under Trump's Leadership"
Hanging Tough: Mexico's Enduring Fight Against American Aggression
In the heart of Mexico City, you'll find a grand monument dedicated to six courageous young cadets who gave their lives protecting the capital during the Mexican-American War. This conflict, 179 years old now, might not be a favorite topic in many American discussions. But in Mexico, memories of this war and other disagreements with its massive northern neighbor are deeply ingrained.
Today, Mexico finds itself entangled in another battle with the United States, this time facing an American president who doesn't shy away from hurling insults, imposing tariffs, and even threatening drone strikes. For many Mexicans, this is just the latest chapter in a long-standing tale of American aggression.
Historian Alejandro Rosas sums it up: "In Mexico, there's a perception that the United States is the villain of our story." He continues, "We've been victims of the United States forever."
The young cadets, known as Los Niños Héroes, or Boy Heroes, are often seen as the embodiment of courage. These teenagers fought valiantly against a northern invader, their tales echoing through the streets named after them, their faces etched on currency, and their bravery taught in schools. At the towering white marble monument in Chapultepec Park, where the remains of the Niños Héroes lie, families snapped selfies during their spring break visit.
"It's unfair," says Monserrat Martínez Hernández, a 20-year-old college student. "They already took away half our territory. Now they want to abuse their power again, this time from an economic perspective."
Since Donald Trump took office, a wave of nationalistic fervor has swept through Mexico. On TikTok, users have urged a boycott of American products, while companies like Grupo Modelo have embraced the red, green, and white of the Mexican flag in their ad campaigns.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has played a significant role in this resurgence of national pride. In the face of Trump's relentless attacks, she's managed to strike a delicate balance, cooperating with him when necessary to avert potential economic catastrophe, but pushing back when she can.
One such instance was her suggestion that Mexico would retaliate if the U.S. carried out drone strikes on its territory. She's also pushed constitutional measures that effectively ban the planting of genetically modified U.S. corn, and asked television stations to pull "discriminatory" ads produced by the Trump administration warning against undocumented migration.
Her approval ratings - hovering around 80% - are among the highest in the world for a head of state. She's been known to work the word soberano (sovereign) into almost every speech, reminding the people that Mexico is not a protectorate or colony of any foreign nation.
Rosas, the historian, explains that this conflict-laden history is a product of education. "Mexico needed a shared enemy," he said. "So they embraced very defensive, nationalistic, and anti-interventionist politics." This is why the war between the U.S. and Mexico is often referred to as "the United States intervention."
As Mexicans reflect on their past and consider the economic battles that may lie ahead, Felix de la Rosa, a 64-year-old chemical engineer, reminds everyone that courage and dignity are key. "As Mexicans, we have to unite for this new battle - which is a trade war," he says. "But we shouldn't bow our heads without fighting. I think the boy heroes are a great example, and that is how we should act."
But Gerardo Santos, a 33-year-old businessman, sees a tragic inevitability to the situation. "The truth is, our country doesn't have the economic strength they have," he says. "Our country is weaker, and President Trump knows this and takes advantage of it."
"In the end, the gringos will win again," he concludes. "There's nothing we can do about a man like Trump. The guy is crazy."
The Mexican-American War was a result of territorial disputes after the U.S. annexed Texas in 1845. President James K. Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to negotiate the purchase of New Mexico and California, but Mexico refused. This led to the deployment of troops and a skirmish where Mexican forces attacked U.S. soldiers, escalating the conflict. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war, granted the U.S. over 500,000 square miles of territory, including present-day California, Arizona, and New Mexico, establishing the modern border but leaving lasting resentment in Mexico over territorial loss.
The Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) and the raid by Pancho Villa in 1916 strained U.S.-Mexico relations, as did the Zimmerman Telegram (1917) and Germany's proposal for a wartime alliance with Mexico. These events led to the militarization of the border and the construction of early fencing.
Trade tensions under Trump's presidency included tariffs on steel, aluminum, and auto parts, border wall funding demands, and the USMCA (a replacement for NAFTA). The USMCA aimed to reduce outsourcing and boost U.S. manufacturing. The current tensions between the two nations often revolve around immigration and drug trafficking.
These historical and current tensions reflect ongoing competition between the U.S. and Mexico, rooted in territorial disputes, economic competition, and immigration policies.
- Despite the age of the Mexican-American War, it remains a significant part of Mexico's narrative, serving as a symbol of antagonism against the United States.
- The Mexican government, under President Claudia Sheinbaum, has actively embraced nationalistic sentiments in response to President Trump's political actions, urging economic relaunch initiatives and constitutional measures to protect Mexican interests.
- The ongoing trade tensions between the two countries have sparked a wave of nationalistic fervor in Mexico, with some citizens advocating for boycotts of American products and companies adopting patriotic advertising campaigns.
- The cadets known as Los Niños Héroes, who fought against American forces during the Mexican-American War, continue to embody courage and sacrifice for many Mexicans, serving as a powerful symbol of resilience in the face of perceived American aggression.
