What would be the best approach to have the Mexican POUM (ie, Communist ) run about conquering South America without interference from outside ?

[BaronNoir]

I genuinely like alt-Mexico runs, if only because the combat is in very different places than usual. The problem I have with the focuses about conquering the South is the interference with other countries.

1)I'm not sure to understand yet how the US Monroe Doctrine guarantee works, because in some games, they let me gobble everything without moving, and in others, they do a non-Monroe guarante that, uh, lead to a pretty intense battle, that's for sure.

2)The ruse of joining the Allies (as the POUM...) seems almost cheating, and remove the uinqueness of such Mexico-run games : the Allies send up dozens of divisions in the Venezuelan jungles where they somehow fight entire Panzers and the Mexicans end up again fighting against suppy lines in Italy or France.

So my question is, what would you do for a run that involve mostly South-American battles ?

 

[TheMeInTeam]

The game is designed in such a way that you are pretty much guaranteed to fight the allies if you're not managing to start wars there as a member.

If you shank the USA first before '41, allied involvement in your conquest of South America will be token/trivial, but probably not very interesting. Though to be fair, Mexico has a massive advantage over everyone to its south except *maybe* Brazil anyway. While technically fighting copies of infantry divisions that use equipment 1, maybe artillery, and no air/naval support...you will really be fighting against poor supply and bad terrain mostly, against countries that sometimes refuse to capitulate even after you take all victory point locations >1. Quite doable, especially with air supply, farmed commander traits (makeshift bridge, adaptability, etc), and paratroopers, and it can be an interesting challenge to do once or twice.

US military is not impressive at all in '36-39 timeframe, so it is possible to win that outright with good micro. I don't think you can skip fighting them forever if you want to full aggro SA.

 

[DystopianAlphaOmega]

Guarantees don’t apply/activate if both countries (attacker and defender) are guaranteed by the same protector. However, joining or creating a faction typically removes any guarantees you have protecting you, so you no longer get this benefit. So if you don’t want USA involved, don’t join or create a faction.

Obviously doesn’t stop the Allies from putting in a separate guarantee or your war target joining a faction themselves. Still helps you avoid instant conflict with the Yanks though. Note that in MP, America can just revoke the guarantee on you, leaving you pretty much just blocked.

 

[BaronNoir]

I ended up joining the Allies, which lead to somewhat surprising moves, such as Haiti joining the Axis, or the Akagi sunk by Mexican carriers....