>#The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
*Analysis & Opinions - The Hill
##GULF EMPIRE
###How Geopolitical Power Dynamics in the Gulfs of California and Mexico Gave Rise to a Latin American Superstate
Author: Alan Rosencrantz | July 26, 2067
>-------------------------------------------
>##Clear and Present Danger: An Overview
>Mexicoβs destruction of the Panama Canal has forced us to reexamine the geopolitical power dynamics of the North American Gulf Nations, a pedigree that includes Gran Columbia, the Gulf Republic, and the Republic of Texas. By performing a second, unprovoked attack on a completely neutral country, Mexico (a regional power) has escalated the Mexican-Argentinian War from a once-regional dispute into one with global consequences. Trade which once flowed seamlessly through the central american lock system must now reroute either through the Northwest Passage or around Cape Horn, causing significant delays to Transatlantic shipping from southern hemispheric economic blocs and East Asian cargo servicing major markets in the Southern Atlantic.
>How could Mexico, formerly a regional power with extremely limited power projection capabilities, single-handedly eliminate such a vital artery of global trade? The answer to this question lies between a mixture of complacency, an absence of international cohesion, and continued interference from outside powers, all contributing towards the rise of the βThird Mexican Empireβ. But perhaps it is best that we start at the beginning.
>##The Architects of Empire: Annexation of Guatemala and Belize
>When the Treaty of Monterrey was originally signed, it was originally lauded as a much-needed model of stability for North America. The single market that formed following the chaos of the collapse of the United States into disparate elements seemed poised to become the next global superpower, with the Gulf Republic, the Republic of Texas, Gran Columbia, and Mexico acting as signatories. This would not last.
>It is from hindsight (and [sleuthing by the then-UKβs MI6](https://www.reddit.com/r/worldpowers/comments/6z1e91/dip
... keep reading on reddit β‘> π Earthquake! Temblor! 4.3 M, 2019-12-10 21:13:05 UTC (daytime) Gulf Of California (30.82, -114.22), β10 km likely felt 90 km away (www.ssn.unam.mx)
^2019-12-10T21:35:38Z
go check out the size of the gulf of california. mexico is disappearing.
edit: also interesting is that the tectonic plate goes right through this new gulf. anyone remember the locations of the tectonic plates? i previously didn't pay much attention to the tectonic plates, but i don't remember the tectonic plate being right on the border of south america either.
Summary:
Time of event: 2018-01-19 16:17:46 UTC
Location: Gulf Of California, 69km NE of Loreto, Mexico
Depth: Between 10.0 and 16.0 km (5 reports, Median: 10.0 km, Avg.: 11.2 km)
Magnitude:
- Max. Reported: 6.5
- Min. Reported: 5.8
- Mean: 6.2
- Median:6.3
^((Calculated out of 5 reports.)^)
Population within 100 km: approx. 24297 people
Maps:
Tsunami information:
External Event Pages:
Data sources:
- USGS
- Geofon Potsdam
- EMSC
- USP
- GDACS
^(If you live in an area that could potentially be affected by this event, do not rely on this data, as it may be erroneous and/or out of date. Instead, please contact trustworthy local sources of information. Seriously - your life may depend on getting this right, so don't trust some random stuff on reddit!)
^(I am a bot, and this was compiled and posted automatically. For questions and comments, please contact my handler, /u/simplequark.)
