Mexico has implemented a multi-faceted and evolving set of strategies to combat powerful drug cartels, primarily by deploying security forces, though these efforts have often spurred increased violence and complex challenges.
For decades, Mexican administrations have grappled with the pervasive influence of organized crime. The approaches have ranged from direct military confrontations to social programs aimed at addressing root causes, alongside efforts to reform legal and security institutions.
Key Strategies and Initiatives
The core of Mexico's response has involved various approaches, each with its own set of outcomes:
- Military Deployment and Direct Confrontation: A hallmark of Mexico's anti-cartel strategy, particularly since the mid-2000s, has been the heavy reliance on its armed forces.
- The "War on Drugs" (Felipe Calderón, 2006–2012): Shortly after taking office, President Felipe Calderón declared war on the cartels, marking a significant escalation in the use of the military against organized crime. This decision led to the widespread deployment of security forces across the country, aiming to dismantle cartel structures through direct engagements and arrests. However, this aggressive approach frequently resulted in a dramatic surge in violence, as cartels fragmented and diversified their criminal activities, often leading to brutal turf wars.
- Continued Military Presence: Subsequent administrations, including that of Enrique Peña Nieto (2012–2018) and Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018–present), have continued to rely on military and federal police deployments, with López Obrador notably creating the National Guard as a new militarized force.
- Targeting High-Value Leaders (Kingpin Strategy): A central element of the strategy has been the capture or elimination of top cartel leaders. While successful in removing specific individuals, this approach often leads to:
- Cartel Fragmentation: The removal of a leader can cause internal power struggles, leading to new, often more violent, factions emerging.
- Diversification of Crime: Instead of ceasing operations, cartels often adapt by diversifying into other illicit activities like extortion, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
- Institutional Reforms: Mexico has undertaken efforts to reform its police forces and judicial system to combat corruption and improve law enforcement capabilities. This includes:
- Police Purges and Training: Attempts to root out corrupt officers and provide better training for federal and state police.
- Judicial Reforms: Efforts to modernize the justice system, including transitioning to an accusatory system designed to be more transparent and efficient.
- Social Programs and Addressing Root Causes: More recent administrations, notably under President López Obrador, have emphasized addressing the socio-economic factors that make individuals vulnerable to cartel recruitment. This approach, often summarized as "hugs, not bullets" (Abrazos, no balazos), aims to reduce crime by:
- Poverty Alleviation: Implementing social welfare programs, scholarships, and youth apprenticeships.
- Community Development: Investing in infrastructure and opportunities in high-risk areas.
- International Cooperation: Mexico regularly collaborates with international partners, primarily the United States, on intelligence sharing, training, and equipment to combat drug trafficking. Initiatives like the Merida Initiative have provided financial and logistical support.
Challenges and Outcomes
Despite these varied efforts, Mexico continues to face significant challenges:
- Persistent Violence: The initial deployment of security forces, particularly during the Calderón administration, often spurred more violence rather than reducing it, a pattern that has largely continued.
- Cartel Resilience and Adaptation: Cartels have proven highly adaptable, evolving their structures, revenue streams, and tactics in response to government pressure.
- Pervasive Corruption: Corruption within political, police, and judicial institutions remains a major obstacle, undermining law enforcement efforts and allowing cartels to operate with impunity.
- Human Rights Concerns: The militarization of public security has sometimes led to concerns about human rights abuses by security forces.
Evolution of Strategies by Presidential Administration
Here's a look at the distinct approaches adopted by recent Mexican presidents:
| Administration | Primary Focus | Key Initiatives/Actions | Outcomes/Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Calderón | Direct Military Confrontation ("War on Drugs") | Declared war on cartels; massive deployment of the military; targeting high-value kingpins. | Significant increase in violence; cartel fragmentation; human rights concerns. |
| Enrique Peña Nieto | Reduced Violence & Institutional Reform | Attempted to shift focus from kingpin strategy to reducing homicides; creation of Federal Police gendarmerie; continued military reliance; capture of "El Chapo" Guzmán. | Initial decrease in homicides followed by a rise; corruption scandals; ongoing military role. |
| Andrés Manuel López Obrador | Addressing Root Causes ("Hugs, Not Bullets") & National Guard | Emphasized social programs to combat poverty and recruitments; created the National Guard; less emphasis on direct confrontation with cartels, more on containment. | Homicides remain high; cartels maintain control in many regions; ongoing debate over effectiveness of social programs in curbing violence quickly. |
Mexico's efforts to stop cartels are an ongoing and complex undertaking. While security forces have been consistently deployed and high-profile targets pursued, these actions have frequently resulted in unintended consequences, including increased violence and cartel adaptation. The current approach increasingly attempts to balance security operations with long-term social and economic development to address the fundamental drivers of cartel activity.
