When she tries to make her traces, Claudia Sheinbaum reinforces the war against crime | International

Claudia Sheinbaum's security guidelines have been implemented at an accelerated pace in the past few weeks. There were multimillion dollar attacks of stolen fuel-known than as Huachicol – and the unveiling of a brave plan against blackmail. The latter is a growing crime that affects millions of Mexicans who are forced to pay criminals a tax on the profits of their business. In addition, since their presidency in October 2024, the numerous drug attacks, armed confrontations with drug dealers and numerous arrests have been displayed.

All of these measures outline a six -year term of office by the President who tries to fix the problem that was unsolved during the previous administration: public security. In the past eight months, the famous “hug, no balls” by Sheinbaum's predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador was buried under an avalanche of police and military operations that deliver measurable results. Some citizens already speculate that the term of office of the first female presidents in the history of Mexico will be the key to make progress in the most important unfinished business in the country: war against crime.

Sheinbaum based her election campaign on continuity. And what it does … except in the area of security, where the distance with her political mentor López Obrador is obvious at a technical and political level. Because of her experience as head of the Mexico City government, President Sheinbaum has presented a strategy that relies on police secret services. She also brought a key figure: Secretary Omar García Haröuch, who worked on the same role in the same role from 2019 to 2023. It is one of the crucial figures in the fight against crime and general delinquency and its popularity grows alongside the results. Few dare to question the progress against violence in the country, although they do not fully attribute this to domestic politics.

One of the largest spores that confront with organized crimes came with the threats of US President Donald Trump, who called for Mexico's effectiveness to stop drug men and stop the Fentanylhandel tribe. He said that he would impose tariffs if his demands were not fully met. “Trump is not interested in the security of his country, let alone Mexico. These are only pretext for his economic expansionism about trade tariffs,” says Armando Vargas from the political analysis center México Evalúa. However, he says that the Republicans' attacks, which may be one of the most threatened minister of public security, increased the initiatives (in 2021 he survived an attack by the Jalalco New Generation Cartel, who killed his bodyguard and promoted his official car with over 400 bullettes).

Haröuch maintains good relationships with the US military and the Department of Homeland Security. According to Sergio Aguayo, this is another leading specialist for studying violence and peace in Mexico. “This is the first time that no military officer is responsible for security [the police] Work with the army, ”notes Aguayo. Sheinbaum has given a lot of power, which today illustrates“ the great generation of security specialists who have been trained in Mexico in recent decades ”confirms Aguayo.

However, Trump was not the only factor in Mexico that took measures against crime. The violent conditions that Sheinbaum inherited – and the acute perception of uncertainty, which was expressed by the public – required the processing of efforts. The organized crime has eaten into hundreds of gangs while the main cartels bleed and reorganize. A struggle has emerged from the beheading of the Sinaloa cartel with its top bosses – Ismael “El Mayo” Sambada and two from Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán's sons – in the USA – in the USA – Ismael “El Mayo” and two by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

“[Mexico] Urgently required security guidelines to contain violence and extortion, ”confirms Vargas. Laura Atuesta, professor at the Eafit University in Medellín and researcher of the drug policy program, shared this opinion:“ Criminal groups have multiplied and diversifies their activities to such an extent that a comprehensive security strategy is necessary to use its economic and financial Really attacking structures.

The third factor mentioned by Vargas is that this attempt to contain violence gives an undeniable political opportunity that reached in Mexico like a country of war, with around 65 murders per day and millions of victims of other crimes. Sheinbaum enjoys enormous popularity that has not yet eroded with its power exercise. But strangely, according to Vargas, some elites in their party – such as “The Hardcore Obradoristas” – are not entirely satisfied with their security strategy. This is due to the fact that it clearly breaks into the precedent of the Great Fieline of the Government Party – López Obrador – whose shadow is still very long.

The US Attorney General recently made an agreement with one of the sons of El Chapo, Ovidio Guzmán, to reduce his prison sentence for drug trafficking. This is worrying the Mexican political class. “To achieve these agreements, you must provide privileged information about criminal government”, Hypothes Vargas. And Mexico did not deserve the Narco state's label for nothing. “Sheinbaum tries to legitimize good administration with its security policy. [She’s trying] To build their own circle, make their traces, to attract elites and react to the base, ”suggests the coordinator of the Mexico Evalúa security program.

The president not only found a useful political niche – the one who left its predecessor – but also a formula that offers immediate returns [and] Quick results, “emphasizes Aguayo. [black market] Business [set up by] Business people associated with crime as in the case of Huachicol“He emphasizes. Economic suffocation is another of the measures that are partially carried out thanks to the influence of the US finance department, which continue to sanction companies and banks that work together with money laundering or carry out other illegal transactions.

This attack on financial structures is something that Atuesta mentions the key to success in this endless struggle. However, she also believes that Mexico should consider possible regulation of illegal drugs, which would contain the exorbitant profits of criminal groups. [while striking] Face agreements with the United States about arms trade. “The river of US weapons strengthens the cartels over measure and leaves a trace of death in Mexico.

As Aguayo suggests, President Sheinbaum has devoted himself to fighting crimes in all its forms. Among other things, this is “because [it’s] A priority and politically profitable. “López Obrador creates herself.

It is too early to say whether public security will be the trademark of this presidential period, but some are taken for granted. So much that many already predict a possible successor of the president when Mexico manages to achieve what it has been trying for decades: secretary of security, Omar García Harvor.

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