## García Harfuch Reveals Sheinbaum’s Plan to Continue AMLO’s Security Strategy
On October 8, 2024, Omar Hamid García Harfuch, the head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), presented a national security strategy aimed at continuing and enhancing the initiatives established by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This strategy is structured around four key pillars: addressing root causes, consolidating the National Guard within the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), strengthening operational strategy and investigation, and ensuring absolute coordination in the Security Cabinet alongside state governments.
During a morning press conference, García Harfuch emphasized the importance of reducing poverty, bridging inequality gaps, and creating opportunities, particularly for young people, to improve their quality of life and steer clear of criminal activities. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo was present, supporting García Harfuch’s emphasis on this comprehensive approach.
García Harfuch highlighted the need for the National Guard, under the leadership of General Ricardo Revilla Trejo, to maintain its development and professionalism within SEDENA. He refuted claims of militarization, asserting that leveraging SEDENA’s capabilities is crucial for the continuous support it offers to families across Mexico and to investigators and intelligence agents within the country.
In addition to reinforcing the National Guard, García Harfuch announced the creation of a new Subsecretariat for Intelligence and Police Investigation, underscoring the need for shared responsibility in addressing the nation’s security challenges.
The strategy focuses on three main goals for achieving lasting peace: reducing crime rates, particularly violent crimes like homicide and extortion; neutralizing networks of violence and criminal organizations; and enhancing the capacities of local police forces through prevention and community engagement, aiming to foster better communication with all sectors of society.
García Harfuch also acknowledged the cooperation of Alejandro Gertz Manero, the head of Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, and acknowledged the contributions of SEDENA and the Navy in this strategy’s implementation.
### Secondary Article: Rise in Violent Crime Spurs Calls for Urgent Action
As discussions continue around the national security strategy, recent statistics highlight growing concerns about violence in Mexico. According to recent reports, there has been a significant increase in homicides in the most crime-afflicted municipalities, including Colima, Tijuana, and Acapulco, with Tijuana experiencing particularly high rates of violent crime.
The security forces are focusing on these areas in a bid to tackle organized crime and drug trafficking, which are seen as significant contributors to the rising violence. Efforts are being made to streamline communication and coordination between federal and local authorities to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement operations.
However, critics argue that systemic issues such as corruption and insufficient resources for local police forces continue to undermine these initiatives. Many citizens are calling for more robust measures and greater transparency in security operations to ensure meaningful progress in the fight against crime.
By implementing the outlined national security strategy, the aim is not only to curb current levels of violence but also to lay the groundwork for a safer and more secure future for all Mexicans.