**Senate Commissions Approve National Guard Reform; Heads to Full Senate**
On September 23, 2024, the united commissions of Constitutional Points and Legislative Studies in the Senate, led by Ernestina Godoy Ramos and Minerva Citlalli Hernández Mora respectively, approved a draft reform for the National Guard with 25 votes in favor and 10 against. This reform proposes to incorporate the National Guard (GN) into the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA).
The votes in favor came from the “Fourth Transformation” coalition, comprising the Morena, Green Ecologist Party (PVEM), and Labor Party (PT) parliamentary groups. The opposition votes were cast by members of the National Action Party (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and Citizen Movement (MC).
The draft is now headed to the full chamber of the Congress for broader discussion and potential approval. If cleared, it will be sent to state legislatures, requiring approval by at least 17 of them. The final step would be the publication of the reform by the Federal Executive in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF).
Senator Alejandro González Yáñez of the PT defended the reform by disputing claims of militarization. “It’s not true that the country is being militarized. We have seen that trust has been earned by the Marine [Secretariat of Marines], SEDENA, and the National Guard,” he said.
On the other hand, MC Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas criticized the federal government and Morena. He argued that the reform signifies a failure to provide civil security, suggesting it shifts undue responsibility to the military, which isn’t equipped for everyday policing tasks.
Meanwhile, PAN Senator Ricardo Anaya Cortés raised alarms about the continued militarization of public security, indicating an increase in homicides over various administrations, despite the claimed reductions by the current government.
**Secondary Article**
**Public Reaction to National Guard Reform**
Public reaction to the proposed incorporation of the National Guard into SEDENA has been mixed. Many citizens express concerns over the potential overreach of military influence into civil matters, fearing it could lead to abuses of power and a shift away from democratic governance.
In response to public concerns, human rights organizations have voiced their opposition to the reform. The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) issued a statement urging the Senate to reconsider the implications on civil liberties and public safety.
Additionally, various political analysts have weighed in, citing examples from other countries where military involvement in civil matters led to unintended consequences. They note that while the intention behind the reform might be to strengthen public security, it could backfire if not implemented with strict oversight and clear boundaries.
Despite these controversies, supporters argue that the current security landscape in Mexico mandates a more robust and unified response. They assert that integrating the National Guard with SEDENA would streamline operations and enhance the country’s ability to tackle organized crime and other significant threats.
As the debate moves to the full Senate, the nation watches closely, pondering the balance between effective security measures and the preservation of democratic principles.