**Senate Approves Transfer of National Guard Control to SEDENA with Yunes’ Vote**
After more than nine hours of heated debate, the Senate of the Republic voted in favor of transferring the administrative and operational command of the National Guard to the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA). This landmark decision was made on September 25, 2024. Votes supporting this legislative move came from the Morena, Green, and Labor parliamentary groups, with an additional decisive vote from Yunes Márquez of the PAN bloc, securing the required supermajority for the “Fourth Transformation.”
The opposition to the bill came from members of the National Action Party (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and Citizen’s Movement (MC). Following this approval, the bill will be sent to state legislatures for further examination, voting, and eventual ratification in at least 17 states. Upon state approval, the President will publish the reformed bill in the Official Journal of the Federation.
The debate commenced just before 10:00 PM on September 24, 2024, and continued until around 6:00 AM the following day. The Senate approved the bill’s general aspects with 86 votes in favor, 42 against, and no abstentions. Shortly after, the detailed bill and its reserved articles were also approved with the same voting outcome.
The initial part of the session saw 14 individual votes, each allowing senators 10 minutes to speak, resulting in more than two hours of debate. Following this, the six parliamentary groups presented their positions, extending the session by an hour. Next, there were two rounds of speakers – five for and five against – making the session 100 minutes longer.
The final discussion of the night occurred around 5:57 AM on September 25, 2024, with the introduction of reserved articles for post-general vote review. The plenary vote of the 128 senators came shortly after and led to the general approval of the bill.
Several senators voiced their opinions forcefully. PAN Senator Ricardo Anaya Cortés expressed concerns that the night-time session aimed to covertly impose military control over national security. Maria Alejandra Barrales Magdaleno from MC questioned why the left-party members altered their stance on militarization, which they traditionally opposed. PRI’s Manuel Añorve Baños criticized the reform, describing it as camouflage for the government’s failure in its security policies.
Contrarily, Yunes Márquez argued that the military’s support was vital in combating organized crime, compelling his support for the bill. He praised Omar García Harfuch, soon to be the Secretary of Citizen Security and Protection, citing his expertise in public security.
The reform bill involved changing 12 articles of the Constitution, including establishing the National Guard as a force with military origins but police training. The National Guard would also be involved in crime investigation within its jurisdiction.
This move would enable the Ministry of Public Security to coordinate enforcement across different government levels while ensuring that the National Guard remains a disciplined, professional, and civilian-connected entity. The reform also highlighted that military members could only face military tribunals and reaffirmed civilian control over police and military forces.
**Additional Articles**
**Secondary Article: Concerns Over Increasing Militarization in Mexico**
In a move that speaks volumes about the current state of security and governance in Mexico, various political analysts and civil society organizations raised alarms over the Senate’s recent decision to place the National Guard under SEDENA’s command. Critics argue that this shift essentially increases the military’s influence over civil society, potentially undermining democratic checks and balances.
Historically, Mexico has had a tumultuous relationship with its military’s involvement in internal security matters. Critics recall instances of human rights violations and extrajudicial actions under military oversight. This recent shift has reignited fears that greater military presence in everyday policing could escalate tensions between the state and its citizens.
Analyst Maria Gonzalez notes, “This decision could drive a wedge between the military and civilians, fostering an environment where abuse of power and lack of accountability become more prevalent.” Others suggest that without thorough oversight, this move could derail efforts to professionalize the police force and build a robust, accountable civil system.
Overall, while the government frames this decision as a necessary measure to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal enterprises, civil society remains wary of the potential long-term impacts on Mexico’s democratic fabric and human rights record. It remains to be seen how this pivotal change will play out and what effects it will have on Mexico’s law enforcement landscape and societal trust in government institutions.