Army dependence will hinder law enforcement in Mexico

Subject

The militarisation of policing in Mexico.

Significance

On December 8, Defence Minister Salvador Cienfuegos questioned the government’s domestic security strategy, saying that insecurity and violent crime “are not issues you can resolve with gunfire”. His remarks come ten years after the launch of a military campaign against organised crime, championed by former President Felipe Calderon (2006-12). Since then, criticism has grown from the military regarding the lack of progress made in restructuring and improving the effectiveness of civilian security forces, and the apparent lack of political will to regulate the role of the army, which is still at the heart of the government’s security policy.

Impacts

• Frustration within the armed forces will continue for the remainder of the administration as police reform makes slow progress.
• The forces’ continued lack of legal protection in carrying out their law enforcement duties will leave them exposed to allegations of abuse.
• Without strengthening the justice system's ability to keep convicts in prison, no security forces will succeed against organised crime.