### AMLO Enacts Military Regulations to Ban Hazing Among Cadets
On August 5, 2024, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a decree published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), outlining significant amendments to the Military Education Act for the Mexican Army and Air Force. This action seeks to prohibit hazing rituals among cadets, similar to an incident that occurred in Ensenada.
According to the new rules, cadets involved in physical, verbal, or psychological abuse, or any actions endangering another student’s safety or health, will face expulsion. The regulations also specify that cadets will be dismissed if they inflict injuries that could endanger lives or result in death, or if their actions suggest an intent to cause harm or involve third parties in such actions.
The decree underscores that any injury resulting from the aforementioned conditions will lead to immediate removal, irrespective of whether the responsible party is on leave, vacation, or off-duty. The decree further explains that cadets will be expelled if they:
1. Cause injuries that endanger another person’s life or result in death.
2. Are under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
3. Compromise the discipline, image, or prestige of the educational institution or military bodies.
4. Attract media attention due to their actions.
The Organizational Law of the Army states that cadets can be dismissed for misconduct, as determined by the Honor Council of their educational unit. Personnel from the troop ranks, auxiliary class, and military educational system will be granted the right to a defense hearing.
These amendments aim to ensure cadets’ behavior does not tarnish the military’s image. The decree also mandates dismissal for cadets who publish, display, or share images or videos depicting military personnel in compromising situations, whether within or outside military premises.
Furthermore, regulations about tattoos prohibit visible tattoos larger than 10 cm x 10 cm and those with offensive or criminal imagery. Cadets will also be dismissed for piercings, except for female cadets allowing earlobe piercings.
The new regulations follow a tragic incident on February 20, 2024, when seven cadets of the National Guard drowned during a hazing event at the El Ciprés Training Center in Ensenada. Investigating these deaths, the Military Prosecutor’s Office has opened a case against Lieutenant Colonel David López Ordaz, the center’s director.
Luis Cresencio Sandoval González, the Secretary of National Defense, revealed the investigation targets López Ordaz for disobedience and abuse of authority. President López Obrador confirmed the instructor’s arrest, highlighting that the cadets were found with complete protective gear. During the training, 11 cadets were swept away by waves, only four of whom survived.
### Secondary Article: Updates and Reactions to AMLO’s Decree on Military Hazing
Following the publication of President López Obrador’s decree, various institutions and authorities provided feedback and updates on the matter.
Military Human Rights Observers have voiced their approval of the new measures, emphasizing that they set a precedent for a more humane and respectful environment within military academies. Maria Elena Larios, spokesperson for a military legal advocacy group, remarked, “This decree is a significant step towards eradicating a toxic culture that has plagued military training for decades.”
Additionally, international military organizations are keeping an eye on these developments. The Defense Ministries from Canada and Chile have expressed interest in reviewing Mexico’s new policies to consider similar implementations within their own training systems.
Moreover, the families of the deceased cadets have released a statement expressing mixed feelings. While they appreciate the government’s initiative to prevent future tragedies, they demand further accountability and transparency in ongoing investigations.
As the Military Prosecutor’s Office continues its inquiry into the El Ciprés Training Center incident, further judicial actions are anticipated. Reports suggest that several high-ranking officers could face charges if found complicit in the cadets’ deaths.
This latest move by the Mexican government underscores its commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of its military personnel, aiming to restore the armed forces’ image and public trust.
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