Ending violence in Mexico: A complex challenge

Ending violence in Mexico is a complex and multifaceted challenge with deep roots in organized crime, particularly drug cartels, and requires a comprehensive approach that extends beyond traditional law enforcement tactics. 

Here’s a look at key aspects:

Understanding the drivers of violence

• Organized Criminal Groups: Cartels drive extreme violence, fueled by supplying the US drug market, especially fentanyl.
• Corruption: Widespread corruption within state institutions weakens law enforcement’s ability to combat criminal organizations and perpetuates their power.
• Poverty and Lack of Opportunity: Economic inequality, particularly low wages and limited employment opportunities, can make joining criminal groups seem more attractive than legitimate work, according to the Center for International Policy.
• Illegal Arms Trafficking: The flow of illegal weapons from the US into Mexico contributes significantly to gun violence.
• Fragile Judicial System: Mexico’s judicial system struggles with inadequate investigation, prosecution, and accountability for crimes and human rights abuses, including those by state security forces. 

Approaches and recommendations

• Strengthening Law Enforcement & Justice:
  • Developing local intelligence capabilities to target specific individuals and behaviors involved in violence, rather than focusing on broad geographical areas.
  • Implementing a police reform (Mando Único) that centralizes procedures while maintaining a local vision to effectively identify and address criminal problems.
  • Addressing systemic corruption within the justice and police systems.
  • Improving investigation and prosecution of crimes, including human rights abuses committed by state security forces.
  • Strengthening the judicial system by addressing concerns about judicial independence after recent reforms that introduced the election of judges.
• Focusing on Social and Economic Solutions:
  • Investing in education, jobs, and social programs, especially for at-risk youth, to provide alternatives to involvement in organized crime.
  • Emphasizing cognitive therapy and other behavioral interventions shown to be more effective than solely focusing on improving public spaces.
  • Adequately funding crime prevention programs.
• Combating Illicit Flows:
  • Inhibiting the flow of illegal weapons into the hands of criminals.
  • Addressing the illicit trafficking of arms and people along the Mexico-US border.
• Addressing Drug Use as a Public Health Issue:
  • Shifting the focus from a broad “war on drugs” to targeted policies against illegal guns, alongside drug courts and treatment programs.
  • Investing in public health solutions to drug use, according to Congress.gov.
• International Cooperation:
  • Collaborating with international partners, particularly the United States, to combat transnational criminal organizations and the flow of illicit drugs and weapons across the border.
  • Exploring possibilities for joint task forces, intelligence sharing, and specialized training programs.
  • Promoting judicial cooperation and efforts to reduce arms trafficking from the US to Mexico. 

Challenges and considerations

• High Levels of Violence and Impunity: Mexico continues to face high rates of homicide, disappearances, and other forms of violence, with a large proportion of crimes going unpunished, according to Human Rights Watch.
• Impact of Organized Crime on Politics: The involvement of organized crime in politics poses a serious threat to Mexico’s democratic institutions and stability.
• Debate Over Strategies: There is ongoing discussion about the most effective strategies to address violence, including the role of militarized approaches versus prevention-focused strategies.
• Human Rights Concerns: Concerns remain about human rights abuses committed by security forces, including torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings. 

Ending violence in Mexico is a long-term undertaking that demands sustained commitment, political will, and a multi-faceted approach involving both domestic and international efforts.