### Concerns Rise Over Militarization of Mexico’s National Guard
Activists working with migrants have expressed deep concerns over the planned transfer of Mexico’s National Guard (GN) to the Ministry of Defense (Sedena). According to Paulina Olvera Cañez, Executive Director of Espacio Migrante, there have been multiple instances of human rights violations perpetrated by the National Guard, even in public spaces.
“Since the National Guard was established and given authority over migration issues, we’ve witnessed numerous human rights violations, including racial profiling used to detain individuals,” Olvera Cañez said. From February this year, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador initiated a legislative reform to amend 12 constitutional articles, integrating the National Guard into Sedena.
The recent discussions on the reform in the Chamber of Deputies, now moving to the Senate, have prompted significant unease among human rights activists and international organizations. They argue that the integration could exacerbate ongoing human rights abuses.
“There are cases where individuals possess proper documentation, yet the National Guard confiscates these documents alongside the National Institute of Migration (INM) and sends them to migrant detention centers,” Olvera Cañez added. These centers are practically detention facilities.
She emphasized that abuse reports from migrants frequently involve the National Guard and various police forces. People of African descent, in particular, report being singled out and detained based solely on their appearance, further highlighting the racial profiling issue.
Certified complaints against the National Guard are sparse, partly due to fear and the lengthy process involved in filing such complaints. “When someone decides to report abuse, and we follow up, the individual often has already crossed the border. They have faced abuse since Central America and simply want to continue their journey,” Olvera Cañez explained.
Olvera Cañez concluded by condemning the move towards further militarization. “It’s distressing to see more militarization when migration in Mexico is not a crime, yet, in practice, the reality is different. We are deeply concerned about this direction.”
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### Additional Report: Increased Incidents of Abuse Amid National Guard Expansion
In addition to the primary concerns raised by activists, recent reports suggest that the expansion of the National Guard’s role has led to an increase in abuses against migrants. Multiple sources report that the National Guard, under the authority of Sedena, has heightened surveillance and enforcement actions, resulting in frequent detentions without just cause.
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented several cases where the National Guard is implicated in arbitrary detentions, physical abuse, and racial profiling. These reports underline the potential dangers of placing a civilian law enforcement body under military control, fostering an environment where human rights violations may become more systemic and unchecked.
Moreover, the migration route through Mexico has become increasingly perilous as migrants face a higher risk of encountering abusive authorities. This situation has further strained the capacity of migrant shelters and human rights organizations, which are struggling to provide assistance and advocacy amidst rising numbers of abuse cases.
Activists continue to call for greater oversight and accountability measures to protect the rights and safety of migrants, urging the government to reconsider the militarization strategy that they argue will only compound existing issues.