Mexico’s President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum faces a daunting task as she prepares to take office on October 1, 2024. The former mayor of Mexico City has built a reputation for adopting a scientific approach to policymaking, but she will need to develop a robust strategy to tackle the country’s complex security challenges. Since outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office in 2018, Mexico has recorded over 193,000 murders, making his six-year term the most violent administration in modern Mexican history.
The state of Chiapas in southern Mexico provides a stark example of the types of violent crime Sheinbaum will need to address. Recent events in Chiapas have raised concerns about what the government can do as powerful organized crime groups move into the state and local criminals adopt increasingly violent tactics. During a campaign trip, Sheinbaum’s motorcade was stopped by masked men, highlighting the precarious security situation.
Veteran Mexico journalist Ioan Grillo described the current security dynamic in Chiapas as “oppressive, fractured, and worsening.” The state has a long history of being controlled by local strongmen and political bosses, but in recent years, this nexus between local powerbrokers and bigger organized crime groups has become more pervasive. Major organized crime groups such as the Sinaloa Cartel and the New Generation Jalisco Cartel are now operating in Chiapas, driving violence and instability.
Sheinbaum will need to take a comprehensive approach to addressing Mexico’s security challenges, including developing strategies to tackle organized crime and local feuds between criminals and political powerbrokers. She must also work to improve the capacity of the federal government and strengthen its ability to exert control over the state. The situation in Chiapas is particularly concerning, with widespread violence and instability affecting many towns and communities.
As Sheinbaum prepares to take office, she must prioritize developing a robust strategy to tackle Mexico’s security challenges. This will require her to work closely with local authorities, develop effective strategies for addressing organized crime, and improve the capacity of the federal government. Failure to do so could exacerbate the already dire situation in Chiapas and other parts of Mexico, leading to further violence, instability, and human suffering.
The article discusses the security crisis in Chiapas, Mexico, where heavily armed cartel gunmen have taken control of some areas. The state is plagued by high rates of impunity for homicide, with an estimated 98.4% of murders going unsolved. The author argues that President Lopez Obrador’s security policies have failed to address the problem, and that his government has mostly chosen to deny or downplay the severity of the issue.
The article also compares Chiapas to Mexico City, where a different security strategy has been implemented. In Mexico City, there is a heavy police presence aimed at deterring crime, but despite this, impunity levels are still very high, with nearly 99% of all murders going unsolved in 2021. The author suggests that the existing police forces in Chiapas may not be effective in patrolling isolated towns and deterring crime.
The article concludes by stating that Chiapas is a “petri dish” where the results of Lopez Obrador’s flagship policies can be seen, and that the state’s high levels of violence and impunity are a result of his government’s failed security strategy. The author also mentions that Sheinbaum, who implemented a different security strategy in Mexico City, has received positive attention for her efforts, but notes that even in Mexico City, impunity remains a significant problem.
Overall, the article provides an analysis of the security crisis in Chiapas and its implications for Mexico’s future. It highlights the need for effective security policies to address the high rates of violence and impunity in the state.
Mexico is grappling with a range of violent crimes, including extortion, carjacking, and cargo truck hijacking. As president, Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to increase the number of National Guard patrolmen in Mexico and enhance its investigative capacity. However, she will need to translate her rhetoric into action to address the pressing issue of impunity and improve the local police’s capabilities.
Currently, in Chiapas, only about 1% of murders are solved by the police. Sheinbaum has been praised for improving security in Mexico City during her tenure as mayor, but even in this megapolis with a large police force, the murder case impunity rate hovered near 99%.
Foreign executives considering “nearshoring” investment projects in Mexico need to be aware of the safety concerns. To improve the security situation in Mexico, Sheinbaum will likely need to commit to significant investments in building the capacity of the police and prosecutors.
One clear takeaway is that social programs and soldiers alone are insufficient for tackling violence. As Dr. Grillo noted, there should be fewer instances of impunity, but creating a functional justice system in Mexico is a massive task, with almost no murders being solved.
Source: Forbes
