Just weeks into her presidency, Claudia Sheinbaum faces a daunting wave of violence in Mexico, a stark inheritance from her predecessor’s controversial security policies. Taking office on October 1st, Sheinbaum’s administration is immediately confronted with the pervasive issues of drug cartels and the military’s role in law enforcement, overshadowing her initial agenda.
Sheinbaum, the new president of Mexico, would ideally be focusing on her proposed judicial reforms, including the election of judges. However, the reality of escalating violence demands immediate attention. Her first weeks have been marred by tragic incidents, including the army’s killing of six migrants on her inauguration day and, just ten days later, the deaths of three civilians in Nuevo Laredo at the hands of soldiers pursuing cartel suspects. These incidents, involving both the army and the National Guard, highlight the ongoing security crisis.
Image alt text: Mexico’s new President Claudia Sheinbaum with outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at her inauguration, symbolizing the transition of power amid security concerns.
The violence continued into Sheinbaum’s third week with the murder of a Catholic priest known for his activism, who had received threats from criminal gangs. Simultaneously, a deadly clash in Sinaloa saw soldiers kill 19 alleged cartel members without suffering any casualties themselves, raising uncomfortable echoes of past human rights abuses involving the military. This lopsided encounter brought back memories of incidents like the 2014 case where soldiers killed cartel suspects after they had reportedly surrendered, further fueling public unease.
Santiago Aguirre, head of the Miguel Agustín Pro Human Rights Center, expressed deep concern about the direction of the country. “It is all very disappointing, and it looks dark for the future,” Aguirre stated, emphasizing the feeling of a systemic breakdown. He criticized the government’s focus on judicial reform, arguing that it distracts from critical security issues and “will cause more problems than solutions.”
The new president has acknowledged these incidents and stated that investigations are underway. However, her public focus has largely remained on promoting her judicial reform plans, which she argues will combat corruption by electing judges. Critics contend that the core issue isn’t judicial corruption in isolation, but rather the chronic underfunding and inadequate training of civilian police and prosecutors. This deficiency leads to an alarming statistic: over 90% of crimes in Mexico never even reach the court system.
This reliance on the military for law enforcement is a legacy of Sheinbaum’s predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. López Obrador, who concluded his term on September 30th, prioritized the armed forces in his security strategy, moving away from strengthening civilian law enforcement and judicial institutions.
Image alt text: Aftermath of a car bomb explosion near a police station in Acambaro, Guanajuato, illustrating the escalating cartel violence facing Mexico’s new president.
Sheinbaum has pledged to maintain all of López Obrador’s policies, including his controversial “hugs, not bullets” approach. This strategy emphasizes social programs like scholarships and job training to address the root causes of crime, rather than direct confrontation with cartels. While López Obrador did not significantly reduce the country’s high homicide rates, he skillfully deflected criticism by dismissing reports of violence as sensationalist media smear campaigns.
However, the sheer volume and severity of violent events since Sheinbaum assumed office have made it difficult for her to employ the same dismissive tactics. Adding to the pressure, a major escalation occurred when a drug cartel detonated two car bombs in Guanajuato, injuring police officers and causing widespread destruction. This act of brazen violence underscores the immense security challenges facing the new administration.
Juan Ibarrola, a military analyst with ties to the armed forces, recognizes the gravity of the situation. “It is putting her and the new administration to the test,” Ibarrola acknowledged, highlighting the immediate pressure Sheinbaum is under. The reality is that Mexican drug cartels are heavily armed and determined to expand their dominance, posing a formidable challenge that has confounded multiple presidential administrations.
Image alt text: Community members mourn slain priest and activist Marcelo Pérez in San Andrés Larráinzar, Chiapas, highlighting the violence impacting religious leaders and activists in Mexico.
Despite the complexities, Ibarrola argued for a firm governmental response, stating, “It is unfortunate, but the use of violence by the Mexican government is necessary” to confront the cartel threat. Reinforcing this point, Mexico’s top security official, Omar García Harfuch, detailed a recent hours-long cartel assault in Guerrero. A convoy of cartel gunmen, equipped with armored vehicles, automatic machine guns, explosives, and .50-caliber sniper rifles, engaged in a prolonged gun battle with security forces.
Image alt text: Residents lower the coffin of murdered priest Marcelo Pérez in San Andrés Larráinzar, Chiapas, reflecting the somber reality of violence and loss in Mexico.
The Guerrero clash, like others, resulted in disproportionate casualties: 17 cartel suspects and two police officers were killed. In response to mounting negative press, the Defense Department publicized images of bullet-ridden army vehicles and reported that three soldiers were wounded in the Guerrero confrontation, aiming to demonstrate the risks faced by the military.
Nuevo Laredo, bordering Texas, serves as a stark example of the consequences when a military-led security approach clashes with heavily armed cartels. It was in this city that civilians, including a nurse and a young girl, were killed by soldiers in separate incidents in early October, underscoring the dangers faced by ordinary citizens.
Raymundo Ramos, head of the Human Rights Commission of Nuevo Laredo, has long advocated for justice for victims of military violence. He fears that the aggressive tactics employed in Nuevo Laredo – “shoot first, ask questions later” – are now becoming widespread across Mexico, including violence-stricken states like Sinaloa. “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.’”
In conclusion, Claudia Sheinbaum, the new president of Mexico, has inherited a deeply troubled security landscape. The escalating violence, fueled by powerful drug cartels and a controversial military-centered security strategy, presents an immediate and critical challenge to her administration. Whether Sheinbaum can effectively navigate this crisis while pursuing her broader policy agenda remains to be seen, but her initial weeks in office clearly indicate the immense pressures she faces as the leader of Mexico.
