Security Challenge
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum confronts escalating cartel violence as drug-related killings continue to plague the country despite her administration's efforts to shift security strategy since taking office in October 2024.
Violence Statistics
The scale of the challenge:
2024 Figures
| Metric | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Homicides | 30,000+ annually |
| Cartel-related | Majority |
| Femicides | Thousands |
| Disappearances | Tens of thousands |
Sheinbaum's Approach
The new president's strategy:
Policy Changes
| Element | Approach |
|---|---|
| Hugs not bullets | Continuation modified |
| Intelligence | Enhanced focus |
| Coordination | Federal-state |
| Social programs | Violence prevention |
| Military role | Continued |
Major Cartels
Active criminal organizations:
Key Groups
| Cartel | Territory |
|---|---|
| CJNG | Jalisco, expanding |
| Sinaloa | Fractured, dangerous |
| Gulf Cartel | Tamaulipas |
| Northeast | Various regions |
Sinaloa Crisis
Recent escalation:
Post-Zambada Events
| Development | Impact |
|---|---|
| Zambada arrest | Power vacuum |
| Chapitos faction | Fighting |
| Civilian deaths | Increased |
| Displacement | Communities fleeing |
Trump Administration
Incoming US pressure:
Expected Actions
| Threat | Status |
|---|---|
| Tariffs | Threatened |
| Cartel designation | Possible FTO status |
| Border | Enhanced enforcement |
| Extradition | Demands |
Bilateral Relations
Mexico-US dynamics:
Key Issues
| Topic | Status |
|---|---|
| Fentanyl | Major US concern |
| Migration | Cooperation needed |
| Trade | USMCA in place |
| Security | Cooperation varies |
State Failures
Regional security breakdown:
Problem Areas
| State | Situation |
|---|---|
| Sinaloa | Cartel war |
| Guerrero | Endemic violence |
| Chiapas | Emerging crisis |
| Michoacán | Ongoing issues |
Military Role
Armed forces involvement:
Current Status
| Force | Role |
|---|---|
| National Guard | Primary security |
| Army | Support operations |
| Navy | Specific operations |
| New command | Being structured |
Judicial Issues
Justice system challenges:
Problems
- Impunity rate ~95%
- Corruption endemic
- Capacity limitations
- Witness protection weak
- Cartel infiltration
Civil Society
Victims and activists:
Demands
| Request | Status |
|---|---|
| Justice | Rarely achieved |
| Search | Recursos limited |
| Protection | Insufficient |
| Acknowledgment | Symbolic |
Economic Impact
Violence affects development:
Consequences
| Sector | Effect |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Some areas affected |
| Investment | Certain regions avoided |
| Migration | Internal displacement |
| Agriculture | Extortion, control |
Looking Ahead
Sheinbaum's security trajectory:
Challenges
- Cartel power entrenched
- US pressure increasing
- Resources limited
- Structural issues deep
- Quick solutions unlikely
Mexico's security crisis remains one of the hemisphere's most pressing challenges as the new administration seeks effective responses.
