### Military: Victims and Executioners
During the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, 207 military personnel lost their lives in the ongoing campaign against drug trafficking and the enforcement of the Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives. Surprisingly, these forces reportedly killed more than twice that number, exhibiting a higher lethality rate than police agencies. This data comes from a study by Data Cívica and Intersecta, which found that the Armed Forces recorded 4.4 fatalities for every wounded individual in combat scenarios during that administration.
Data Cívica’s Data Analysis Coordinator, Alicia Franco, argues that involving the military in public security tasks is fraught with risk. Transitioning the National Guard to the operational and administrative control of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) was based more on military popularity than effectiveness. “The armed forces are highly esteemed, but does the public’s support truly reflect their performance or just an unfounded trust?” she questions.
From December 1, 2018, to September 3, 2024, 207 soldiers died in the line of duty under this campaign. Tamaulipas, historically notorious for violence, saw the highest death toll with 42 soldiers. Other states like Sinaloa (22 deaths), Michoacán (18), and Guerrero (16) also faced significant losses. Gunfire accounted for the majority of military deaths, while incidents like vehicle accidents and drownings claimed the rest.
The most significant loss for the Mexican Army occurred during “Culiacanazo 2.0” on January 5, 2023, with the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán López, son of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The operation resulted in 10 military deaths and the killing of 19 civilians during clashes.
Alicia Franco emphasizes a problematic discourse: soldiers are “murdered,” but when civilians die at the hands of military or police, they’re “neutralized.” She expresses a grave concern over this biased language, insisting on thorough investigations to genuinely classify individuals as criminals post-conflict.
The report “A(r)madas y Letales,” a continuation of the project “Con Copia Oculta,” reveals a lethality index disparity: 4.4 fatalities per injury by the military against 2.7 by police during confrontations. This comparison highlights the military’s disproportionate use of force, contradicting legal stipulations that should prioritize arrests over fatalities.
Moreover, the report indicates civilian authorities execute arrests with a judicial order 19.7% of the time, while the military holds such orders in only 6% of detentions. This discrepancy flags potential rights violations.
A constitutional reform has now permanently embedded the military in public security roles alongside the creation of the militarized National Guard. Franco argues this shift risks expanding military influence across civil sectors, a dubious balance between security and civilian freedoms.
Despite efforts to ensure transparency, military operations often remain opaque, complicating assessments of their true conduct and efficiency.
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### Secondary Article: The Expanding Role of Mexico’s Military
Recent developments in Mexico have seen the military’s role extend beyond traditional domains, creating debates over their growing impact on various civil sectors. Initially tasked with ensuring national security, the military now engages increasingly in public mandates, from infrastructure projects like the Tren Maya to pandemic response efforts.
This widening scope has sparked discussions on the military’s adaptability and efficiency in such non-combat roles. Critics argue that while discipline is a military hallmark, their effectiveness in civil endeavors concerning accountability and transparency remains questionable. Advocates, however, affirm the military’s disciplined structure, yet there’s minimal empirical evidence to support this perceived versatility.
These evolving duties raise critical questions. Are military forces equipped to address can complexities specific to civic matters effectively, or does their involvement risk overlooking the primary mission of safeguarding national security?
Observers warn against the inadvertent militarization of sectors traditionally managed by civilian authorities, stressing the importance of reinforcing civil institutions to maintain balance and prevent the potential erosion of civil liberties. As Mexico navigates these challenges, the interplay between military capabilities and civil responsibilities will be pivotal in shaping its future trajectory.
The debate signals a crucial juncture for policymakers: finding equilibrium to leverage military strengths without compromising democratic checks and balances essential for a citizen-focused governance model.