Let’s have that inconvenient talk about Mexico…
Here’s the full statement:
Mexico City, November 26, 2024
Dear President-elect Donald Trump,
I am writing to you regarding your statement on Monday, November 25, concerning migration, fentanyl trafficking, and tariffs.
You may not be aware that Mexico has developed a…— Ishaan Tharoor (@ishaantharoor) November 26, 2024
Control Over Law Enforcement:
✅ Challenges in Combating Cartels: The Mexican government’s control over law enforcement remains challenged by the pervasive influence and power of drug cartels. These organizations have not only infiltrated various levels of local, state, and even federal law enforcement but have also established significant territorial control, especially in regions where drug production and trafficking are rampant. The violence cited by President Sheinbaum, largely fueled by U.S. drug demand, underscores the cartels’ capacity to undermine governmental authority.
✅ Militarization and Strategy: Since the onset of the Mexican drug war in 2006, the strategy has involved significant militarization of law enforcement efforts. However, this approach has had mixed results; while there have been high-profile arrests and drug seizures, the overall violence has escalated, suggesting that the cartels adapt quickly to enforcement strategies. The militarization has also led to human rights concerns and has not significantly reduced the operational capabilities of the cartels.
✅ Corruption: Corruption within the ranks of law enforcement is a substantial barrier to effective control. The statement by President Sheinbaum indirectly points to this issue by emphasizing the influx of U.S.-sourced weapons into criminal hands, which often occurs through corrupt channels or inadequate oversight. Numerous reports, including those from web sources and posts found on X, indicate that corruption in Mexican law enforcement is systemic. From local police forces to higher echelons, there have been countless instances where officials are in cahoots with cartels, providing protection, intelligence, or even participating in criminal activities.
This corruption manifests in various forms, including:
✅ Bribes and Payoffs: Officers receiving payments to ignore criminal activities or to provide information to cartels.
✅ Protection and Collusion: Law enforcement officers or entire units offering protection to drug lords or facilitating their operations.
✅ Judicial Corruption: Influence over judges and legal proceedings to ensure favorable outcomes for cartel members or to undermine investigations.
Such corruption not only undermines anti-cartel operations but also erodes public trust in law enforcement. Efforts to combat this include vetting processes, purges of corrupt officials, and the establishment of new, supposedly incorruptible units like the National Guard. However, these measures face significant challenges:
✅ Deep-Rooted Networks: Corruption has deep roots, with networks that transcend individual administrations, making it difficult to dismantle entirely.
✅ Low Salaries and Poor Working Conditions: Many officers are underpaid and face poor working conditions, making them susceptible to bribes.
✅ Lack of Accountability: Despite high-profile cases, the overall rate of prosecution and punishment for corrupt law enforcement remains low, perpetuating a culture of impunity.
This pervasive corruption means that even when operations against cartels are launched, the effectiveness can be compromised, allowing cartels to maintain influence or quickly regain lost ground. Addressing this requires not only law enforcement reforms but also a broader societal and political commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
Current Efforts and Future Directions:
✅ Operation Swarm and Similar Initiatives: Recent actions like “Operation Swarm” indicate a more aggressive stance by the Mexican government to tackle organized crime. This involves deploying large numbers of security personnel in coordinated operations to disrupt cartel activities. Posts found on X suggest these efforts have led to significant arrests and seizures, but the long-term impact on reducing cartel influence remains to be seen.
✅ Reforms and Anti-Corruption Measures: There have been attempts to reform law enforcement agencies, including purging corrupt elements and improving training and coordination between forces. However, these reforms face resistance from entrenched interests and the systemic nature of corruption.
✅ Community and Judicial Reforms: Initiatives to strengthen community policing and judicial systems aim to rebuild trust between the public and law enforcement. Enhancing the legal system’s capacity to prosecute cartel members effectively is crucial, yet progress is slow due to threats against judges and lawyers.
✅ International Relations and Support: Mexico has sought international support, not just from the U.S., but also from other countries and international bodies, to address the broader issues of arms trafficking, money laundering, and drug consumption. The success of these collaborations hinges on mutual trust, shared responsibility, and consistent policy implementation.
Conclusion:
While the Mexican government has made strides in both policy and action against the drug cartels, the scale of the challenge means that complete control over the lawlessness caused by these groups remains elusive. The interplay of corruption, the power of cartels, and the external factors like U.S. drug demand and gun laws create a complex scenario where law enforcement is only one part of the solution.
For Mexico to achieve reasonable control over its lawlessness, a comprehensive strategy that encompasses not only security measures but also socioeconomic development, international cooperation, and deep-rooted institutional reform is necessary.
The statement by President Sheinbaum to Trump underscores the urgency and complexity of the situation, calling for a reevaluation of how both nations approach this shared security dilemma. Without significant changes, the cycle of violence and control by cartels is likely to persist, challenging the Mexican government’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.