**Military as Victims and Executioners: An Analysis of Mexico’s Security Challenges**
The administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has seen significant military casualties with 207 soldiers losing their lives in the ongoing fight against narcotics and enforcement of Federal Firearms and Explosives regulations. However, the lethality of military operations has been notably higher compared to police forces. Research by Data Cívica and Intersecta reveals that the Armed Forces have a lethality rate of 4.4 casualties per injured person in confrontations during López Obrador’s term.
Alicia Franco, Data Cívica’s Data Analysis Coordinator, believes that deploying the military for public security assignments poses substantial risks. She argues that moving the National Guard under the control of the Ministry of National Defense was a misguided decision driven by the perceived popularity of the military rather than its effectiveness. Franco questions whether the public’s admiration for the military is justified given their operational conduct.
From December 2018 to September 2024, 207 soldiers died while carrying out anti-narcotics operations. Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, and Michoacán were among the most deadly states for soldiers, with 42, 22, and 18 fatalities, respectively. The primary causes of death included firearm assaults, vehicular accidents, and drownings. Lower-ranking soldiers were most often the casualties, with 103 deaths, followed by 52 corporals and 24 second sergeants.
One of the deadliest incidents for the Mexican Army occurred during the “Culiacanazo 2.0” on January 5, 2023, when the military attempted to apprehend Ovidio Guzmán López. The operation resulted in 10 soldier deaths and 19 civilian deaths.
Franco highlights a concerning discrepancy in language used to describe incidents involving military personnel and civilians. While military deaths are labeled as “murders,” civilian deaths by military and police actions are often termed as “neutralizations,” hinting at the criminalization of certain population segments without thorough investigations.
The report “A(r)madas y Letales,” part of the “Con Copia Oculta” project, compares armed forces’ use of force to that of police, finding a higher lethality rate in military operations. Franco stresses the need for capturing suspects and conducting proper investigations rather than resorting to lethal force.
The report underscores the disparity in law enforcement practices where the military executes arrests with a judicial order only 6% of the time, against 19.7% for civilian authorities. Furthermore, the military exerts more psychological and physical violence during arrests and has a higher incidence of committing sexual violence.
Franco warns that the constitutional reform integrating the National Guard into the military structure poses additional risks by allowing the armed forces a permanent role in public security, without a clear definition of their responsibilities. This militarization trend, according to her, extends beyond public safety into areas like infrastructure and pandemic management, which traditionally fall outside military duties.
**Secondary Article: Ongoing Concerns Over Militarization in Mexico**
Recent developments in Mexico’s security strategy continue to draw scrutiny as new policies further integrate military forces into civilian roles. The government’s reliance on military expertise for public security, infrastructure projects like the Maya Train, and even public health interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised alarms about the expanding role of the military in state functions traditionally managed by civilian authorities.
Critics argue that these measures could undermine civilian control of national policies and lead to increased human rights violations. Concerns have been validated by reports showing higher rates of violence and less transparency surrounding military operations. As these reforms take root, debates over maintaining a balance between effective security measures and safeguarding civil liberties are expected to intensify.
The situation is compounded by the transient nature of the arrest protocols and the systemic constraints in ensuring accountability for military engagements. The ongoing militarization of various social and economic sectors poses questions about the long-term implications for Mexico’s democratic institutions and societal structures. The path forward will require robust dialogues focused on de-escalating the military’s involvement in civilian affairs while fortifying existing security frameworks.