Barely three weeks into her presidency, Claudia Sheinbaum, the New President Of Mexico, is grappling with a surge of violence that many attribute to the policies of her predecessor, particularly the approach of not directly confronting drug cartels and relying on the military for law enforcement.
President Sheinbaum assumed office on October 1st with ambitions to prioritize governmental reforms, notably proposing the election of judges. However, the escalating violence has quickly demanded her attention, overshadowing her initial agenda.
Her early tenure has been marred by several disturbing incidents. On the very day she took office, the army was involved in the killing of six migrants. This was followed ten days later by the deaths of three civilians in Nuevo Laredo, a border city plagued by cartel activity. These bystanders were killed by soldiers and National Guard troops engaged in pursuing suspected drug cartel members.
Mexico’s new president Claudia Sheinbaum with former President López Obrador during her inauguration, highlighting the transition of power amidst rising violence.
The third week of Sheinbaum’s administration saw further violent events. A Catholic priest known for his activism, who had previously received threats from gangs, was murdered. Adding to the grim picture, a confrontation in Sinaloa state resulted in the deaths of 19 alleged drug cartel members at the hands of soldiers, with no reported injuries to the military personnel. This incident evoked memories of past human rights violations, including a 2014 event where soldiers killed cartel suspects after their surrender.
Santiago Aguirre, head of the Miguel Agustín Pro Human Rights Center, expressed deep concern about the current trajectory. “It is all very disappointing, and it looks dark for the future,” Aguirre stated. He criticized the government’s focus on judicial reform, arguing it distracts from pressing issues of violence and security breakdown and “will cause more problems than solutions.”
Despite the mounting crisis, President Sheinbaum has largely dedicated her public appearances to promoting the judicial reform, claiming that electing judges will eradicate corruption. Critics, however, argue that the core issue lies not in judicial corruption but in the systemic underfunding and inadequate training of civilian police and prosecutors. This deficiency leads to an alarming statistic: over 90% of crimes in Mexico never reach the courts.
The security strategy currently in place is largely the legacy of Sheinbaum’s predecessor and mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. López Obrador prioritized the military in his security approach, neglecting the long-term reforms needed within the police force and judiciary to combat corruption effectively.
Car bomb explosion in Guanajuato, Mexico, demonstrating the increasingly brazen tactics of drug cartels under the new president’s watch.
Sheinbaum has pledged to continue López Obrador’s policies, including the controversial “hugs, not bullets” strategy. This approach emphasizes addressing the root causes of crime through social programs like scholarships and job training rather than direct confrontation with cartels. While López Obrador’s charismatic leadership allowed him to downplay violence incidents and deflect criticism by accusing media of sensationalism, Sheinbaum faces immediate and intense scrutiny.
The cartels are not relenting. Recently, in Guanajuato state, a drug cartel orchestrated two near-simultaneous car bombings, injuring police officers and causing widespread destruction. This act of aggression underscores the immense challenge facing the new administration.
Juan Ibarrola, a military analyst with close ties to the armed forces, acknowledges the gravity of the situation. “It is putting her and the new administration to the test,” he stated, highlighting the formidable power and regional ambitions of Mexican drug cartels. Ibarrola also suggests a harsh reality: “It is unfortunate, but the use of violence by the Mexican government is necessary” to counter the cartel threat.
The capacity and willingness of cartels to engage in large-scale attacks were further demonstrated in Guerrero state. Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s top civilian security official, reported a prolonged assault by a cartel convoy of 16 vehicles, some armored. The attackers deployed automatic machine guns, explosives, and .50-caliber sniper rifles in a fierce battle against security forces. The resulting casualties again highlighted the disparity in losses: 17 suspects and two police officers killed, while the military emphasized only a few wounded soldiers and distributed images of bullet-ridden army vehicles to underscore the intensity of the clashes.
Community members mourn the death of a slain priest and activist in Chiapas, Mexico, illustrating the human cost of ongoing violence.
Nuevo Laredo serves as a stark example of the consequences of a military-led security strategy clashing with powerful cartels. It was in this city that civilians, including a child, were recently killed by troops, raising serious questions about rules of engagement and accountability.
Raymundo Ramos, from the Human Rights Commission of Nuevo Laredo, has long advocated for justice in cases of civilian deaths involving the military. He expresses concern that the aggressive military tactics employed in Nuevo Laredo – which he describes as “shoot first, ask questions later” – are now being implemented nationwide. “It is the same way they operate in Nuevo Laredo,” Ramos explained, “They are the same orders across the whole country. ‘don’t leave witnesses, dead men don’t talk.’”
President Sheinbaum’s administration faces a daunting task. The escalating violence, deeply rooted in existing security strategies and emboldened cartels, presents an immediate and critical challenge to her leadership and the future stability of Mexico. How she chooses to address this inherited crisis will define her presidency and shape the nation’s trajectory for years to come.
Funeral procession for a slain priest in Chiapas, Mexico, representing the broader societal impact of violence and the challenges faced by the new president.
