Final Security Report / Violence in Sinaloa Continues

Last Security Report. Minister of Security and Citizen Protection Rosa Icela Rodríguez presented the final security report of the current administration, highlighting the capture of 94,200 offenders, including 12,319 linked to criminal organizations. Rodríguez highlighted the detention of high-profile criminals like Ovidio Guzmán López, Rafael Caro Quintero, and José Antonio Yépez. Rodríguez noted that these results were achieved through both crime prevention efforts and enforcement actions. 

Rodríguez highlighted key security and social outcomes during President López Obrador’s administration, focusing on changes in felony rates and poverty levels across various states. In 27 states, the rate of felony victims and poverty percentages shifted. In the same vein, while poverty increased in Tlaxcala and the State of Mexico, crime rates decreased. Conversely, in Coahuila, Yucatan, and Nuevo Leon, poverty declined, but criminal activity rose. Rodríguez emphasized that no state saw simultaneous increases in both poverty and crime.

Rodríguez reported that 12.7% fewer households were victims of robbery in 1H24 compared to the same period in 2018. Public perception of safety also improved, with only 59.4% of citizens considering their cities violent in June 2024, down from 73.7% in December 2018.

Regarding crime outlooks, 68.3% of adults in 2Q18 expected crime to worsen or remain the same. By the same period in 2024, this dropped to 50.5%, the lowest level in 43 quarters, according to Rodríguez, quoting figures from INEGI. Additionally, 74.1% of adults rated the National Guard's performance positively in June 2024, she said.

Corruption cases experienced by citizens fell by 16.6%, representing 5,062 fewer incidents. The perception of corruption also decreased by 8.8% nationwide. Public confidence in leadership showed President López Obrador receiving the highest confidence from 53% of adults, compared to 33.2% for governors and 28.1% for mayors. Trust in the federal government rose to 59.1% in 2024, compared to 25.5% in 2017. Rodríguez quoted an OECD survey that states that 54% of Mexicans expressed confidence in their government, surpassing the OECD average of 39% and trailing only Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Violence in Sinaloa. President López Obrador addressed the ongoing violence in Sinaloa, emphasizing two government priorities: protecting citizens and preventing confrontations between criminal groups. He also urged the media to avoid sensationalism in their coverage. Meanwhile, the armed forces continue to protect the population, with General Jesús Leana noting that the security situation is driven by rival criminal groups.

Since the capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on July 25, 2024, clashes in Sinaloa have resulted in 30 civilian deaths and 30 arrests, according to the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA). SEDENA's Head, Luis Cresencio Sandoval, confirmed that additional reinforcements would be deployed to maintain public safety. Intelligence operations and military reinforcements were introduced after Zambada's arrest to prevent violence between cartel factions.

According to Sandoval, 13 attacks against the military have occurred so far, resulting in two soldiers killed and nine injured. Security forces have seized 115 long firearms, 14 short firearms, ammunition, ballistic vests, and a cloned patrol vehicle. A total of 2,200 military personnel are currently stationed in the region, with further reinforcements on the way.

The internal conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel has caused 32 deaths and 30 arrests, and SEDENA confirmed that the military presence will continue as long as necessary to ensure public safety.

Judicial Reform. López Obrador asserted that the reform cannot be reversed, as it is already in effect and in line with Constitutional Article 135. He highlighted that there is no legal basis to halt the reform, despite opposition attempts. The reform was signed and published in the Federal Official Gazette (DOF) on Sept. 15, 2024.

López Obrador told Supreme Court President Norma Piña to seek different advisors. He highlighted that March 2025 will be a key month with the election of new Supreme Court judges. He reiterated his support for the Judicial Reform, stating it will help cleanse the judiciary and benefit all Mexicans, including businesses and foreign investors, by establishing a true rule of law free from favoritism and corruption.