Final answer:
The United States had issues with Pancho Villa when he attacked American citizens and the town of Columbus in New Mexico after feeling betrayed by the U.S. support for his rival, Carranza. The U.S. military intervention that followed failed to capture Villa and complicated U.S.-Mexico relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The issues the United States had with Francisco "Pancho" Villa stem from a series of events during the Mexican Revolution. Initially, Villa received support from the U.S. as a general opposing the dictatorial regime of Porfirio Diaz. However, when the U.S. government recognized Venustiano Carranza as Mexico's legitimate leader, Villa felt betrayed and responded with violence. Villa attacked American citizens and even raided the town of Columbus, New Mexico. These attacks caused significant tensions and led President Wilson to commission General John Pershing to lead a military expedition to capture Villa. Over eleven thousand U.S. troops advanced into Mexico, but despite their efforts, Villa evaded capture, and the expedition added strain to U.S.-Mexico relations.
An important aspect of this conflict was the desire of the Villistas, Villa's supporters, to continue fighting against Carranza's government after losing U.S. backing. Their aim was to promote a revolution of the people, which they believed Carranza's government had betrayed with the help of the U.S. The U.S. intervention in Mexico ultimately failed to bring Villa to justice and heightened political tension, making it an example of the complexity in executing a moral foreign policy amidst political and economic realities.