The Mexican government, through the National Guard, reported that, thanks to the implementation of the Balam strategy, highway robbery was reduced by 27 percent. Furthermore, with Operation Zero Robberies, 49 days after its implementation, this crime decreased by 55 percent on the Mexico-Querétaro highway and 50 percent on the Mexico-Puebla highway.
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo emphasized that the Mexican government’s objective is the security and peace of the country, which is built through a genuine justice system and the implementation of the four pillars of the National Security Strategy, which to date have led to a 25 percent reduction in intentional homicide.
“The goal is security and peace in our country, and that is built on justice, on a functioning justice system, on the rule of law, not on judges releasing criminals. But also on a strategy. And we have a strategy that is yielding results. Of course, we work every day because we want to achieve more results,” he emphasized during the morning press conference, “Las mañaneras del pueblo” (The People’s Morning Press Conference).
The commander of the National Guard, Hernán Cortés Hernández, explained that the implementation of the Balam strategy in 12 states and 22 highway sections has led to a 61 percent increase in the recovery of stolen cargo vehicles. He added that Operation Zero Theft on the Mexico-Querétaro and Mexico-Puebla highways has recovered 30 stolen vehicles, thwarted 13 attempted robberies, and, through intelligence work, coordination, and support from prosecutors’ offices, 18 people have been arrested. Additionally, as a result of these actions, 71 handguns, 2,877 cartridges, 169 magazines, and 58 kilograms of various types of drugs have been seized. He highlighted that on the Mazatlán-Culiacán highway, there has been a 46.67 percent reduction in the theft of private vehicles.
Additionally, as part of the actions to strengthen citizen confidence and security through the National Guard With You and Civic-Social Mondays plans, 47,113 officers and 8,730 vehicles have been deployed since July 25 in 39 municipalities in 21 states, benefiting 76,678 people through social outreach activities.
The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, reported that, as part of the National Security Strategy, from October 1, 2024, to August 25, 2025, more than 30,700 people have been arrested for high-impact crimes, 15,496 weapons have been seized, along with nearly 240 tons of drugs, including 3.5 million fentanyl pills and more than 47 tons of cocaine in maritime operations. In addition, 1,356 laboratories have been shut down in 21 states.
Likewise, as part of the National Strategy against Extortion, from July 6 to August 24, 32,622 calls to the 089 number were answered, of which 69 percent (22,602) were unsuccessful extortions thanks to real-time guidance from operators and the prevention campaign. 22 percent (7,004) to report a number, and 9 percent (3,016) to report extortion cases that were referred to local prosecutors for investigation. Additionally, 212 people have been arrested in 15 states, including Michoacán, Guerrero, the State of Mexico, Tabasco, and Oaxaca, which account for 84 percent of the arrests.
The Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez, highlighted that as part of the “Attention to the Causes” initiative, through the National Strategy for Peace and Against Addictions, prevention talks and workshops have been given to more than 61,000 children in 89 municipalities. From August 11 to 17, 126 activities were organized with the participation of 24,439 young people, and from August 1 to 10, a ride and race were held in 144 cities with the participation of more than 30,000 people in 149 activities.
23,328 people were supported at the National Youth Employment Fair; 165,878 door-to-door visits were made, 281 Peace Fairs benefited 417,115 people, 270 Peace Committees were established, and 4,759 Peace Days were held.
In addition, the Tianguis del Bienestar (Wellness Market) supported 42,390 families in Guerrero and Oaxaca. Finally, with “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace,” 5,457 firearms have been voluntarily exchanged in 29 states: 3,294 handguns, 1,529 long guns, and 634 grenades, and 5,152 war toys have been exchanged for educational ones.
Source: mimorelia
