Financial Crime World

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Mexico’s Latest Financial Crime Trends: A Comprehensive Analysis

The latest report from Justice in Mexico, “Organized Crime and Violence in Mexico,” provides a comprehensive analysis of the country’s public security situation. This marks the third consecutive year under its current name.

Violent Crimes on the Decline?

According to data from the Mexican National Security System (SNSP), Mexico experienced a slight decrease in homicides in 2020, with a 0.3% decline compared to 2019. However, despite this trend, the number of homicides remains at exceptionally high levels.

Other Violent Crimes

SNSP data also showed that other violent crimes such as extortion, kidnappings, and intentional injuries decreased in 2020.

Violence Against Vulnerable Populations

The report highlights the continued violence against certain populations, including:

  • Women: The daily average of women killed each day was virtually unchanged from the previous year.
  • Journalists: The number of journalist killings increased by 169% compared to 2019.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on criminal groups in Mexico, with networks adapting to logistical challenges through methods such as:

  • Artificially inflating drug prices
  • Withholding shipments This may compel criminal actors to reshape their illicit operations in the future.

Exploiting Economic Hardship

Criminal organizations also exploited economic hardship caused by the pandemic, engaging in delivery of aid packages and similar measures to attract local support. Some of Mexico’s most well-known criminal organizations, including:

  • Jalisco New Generation Cartel
  • Sinaloa Cartel provided humanitarian assistance during this time.

Government Policies and Security Challenges

The report evaluates the potential impacts of key government policies on the country’s security challenges, including:

  • The continued role of the National Guard in public security efforts
  • Official data indicating that violence and crime have remained at exceptionally high levels throughout President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration

Implications of Security Cooperation with the United States

The report delves into the implications of recent developments in security cooperation between Mexico and the United States, including changes to the National Security Law.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2021 Organized Crime and Violence in Mexico report provides a comprehensive analysis of the country’s complex trends and patterns, shedding light on the challenges that will continue to shape Mexico’s security situation in the foreseeable future.