Mexico’s Military-Heavy Approach to Crime Fails to Bring Results

Mexico City - In a country plagued by violence and crime, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration is relying heavily on military forces to tackle the problem. However, experts say that this approach has failed to bring results, with many questioning its effectiveness in combating criminal organizations.

The Limited Role of Military Forces

According to sources within the Mexican military and law enforcement agencies, troops are often deployed to patrol streets without engaging in active operations against criminal groups. Instead, they are primarily used as a visible deterrent to reassure the public of government presence.

“It’s all about optics,” said a security official in Tierra Caliente. “We send the National Guard to stand on the street and show people that we’re there. It gives them confidence.”

Skepticism from Locals

However, this approach has been met with skepticism by locals, who argue that it does little to address the root causes of crime.

“The National Guard are just expensive mannequins,” said a lawyer in Tierra Caliente. “They don’t do anything to actually stop the criminals.”

Limited Investigative Authority

The situation is further complicated by the lack of investigative authority among Mexico’s military and law enforcement agencies. This means that they can only act against crime when it occurs in flagrante delicto, leaving ordinary crimes unsolved.

Weak Judicial System

Mexico’s judicial system has also been weakened under López Obrador’s administration, with efforts to gut and reverse judicial reforms aimed at improving the country’s accusatorial system. The president has also cut budgets and personnel to many institutions, leaving them with minimal capacities.

Consequences of Ineffective Policing

The government’s approach has led to a profound reduction in the number of investigators and investigative capacity in Mexico, with the effective prosecution rate for homicides hovering around 2%.

Insufficient Socio-Economic Programs

Critics argue that López Obrador’s focus on socio-economic anti-crime programs, while well-intentioned, is insufficient as a replacement for effective policing.

“These programs are riddled with problems,” said an expert. “They don’t address the root causes of crime and often end up perpetuating corruption and criminal activity.”

Concerns about US-Mexico Relationship

The situation has also raised concerns about Mexico’s relationship with the United States under the new Bicentennial Framework. While the agreement aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation on security issues, some critics fear that it will allow the Mexican government to dictate its own terms without US input.

“It’s a problematic vision of what the framework should look like,” said an expert. “It’s all about the United States taking care of its own territory while Mexico does whatever it wants.”

Uncertainty and Concerns

As the situation in Mexico continues to deteriorate, many are left wondering if López Obrador’s approach will bring any meaningful change to the country’s troubled security landscape.

Will the Mexican government be able to turn things around, or is this just another failed attempt at addressing the country’s deep-seated crime problem? Only time will tell.