CIA considered invading Mexico during Salinas de Gortari administration

Declassified documents from the CIA reveal that the agency considered a military invasion of Mexico in response to potential crises during the administration of Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

Intelligence assessments from the period characterized Salinas de Gortari as a “capitalist disguised as a socialist” and an “ambitious technocrat.” The files show that the U.S. intelligence community closely monitored his government, particularly regarding his neoliberal economic policies and the privatization of state assets.

According to the documents, the CIA was aware of his primary objective to restructure the Mexican economy to be more receptive to international market forces and private investment by reducing the role of the public sector. The intelligence also noted his political approach, describing him as an authoritarian figure who would act slowly regarding political liberalization reforms.