Background on the Issue
Between 2018 and April 21, the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) reported the theft or loss of 2,227 firearms that were in the possession of its personnel. This information was obtained through a freedom of information request (folio 330026425001086) to the General Directorate of the Federal Register of Firearms and Control of Explosives.
Trend Analysis
- The year with the highest number of reported cases was 2019, with 309 stolen firearms.
- Short firearms had the most reported cases in 2019 (222), while long firearms had the most cases in 2020 (93), coinciding with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.
- There has been a downward trend in reported cases of stolen or missing firearms.
Historical Context and Previous Incidents
The issue of stolen military armament is not new within the Mexican armed forces. In 2022, leaked internal emails from the hacktivist group Guacamaya, accessed by El Economista, revealed internal investigations that found elements within the dependency selling armament and tactical gear to organized crime.
In June 2022, the then Navy chief, Admiral Rafael Ojeda Durán, acknowledged detecting cases of marines selling military equipment, especially uniforms, to organized crime.
Lost Firearms
Regarding lost firearms by military personnel in the same period, 2021 had the highest number of cases (175). By type, 2020 saw more short firearms lost (138), while 2021 had more long firearms reported missing (192). Overall, between 2018 and April 21, 2023, there were 550 short firearms and 260 long firearms reported missing.
Consequences and Expert Opinions
Experts in security have warned that the missing or stolen firearms within Sedena are a result of deficiencies within the Mexican armed forces.
Alberto Guerrero Baena, a security consultant and member of the Observatorio de la Guardia Nacional de Causa en Común, pointed out that although Sedena maintains a formal protocol for reporting lost armament—including written notifications, denunciations to the Federal Public Ministry, and internal processes for determining sanctions—in practice, firearms are often considered “lost” without clear tracking or accountability for responsible parties.
Guerrero also highlighted the potential underreporting of stolen firearms, as their disappearance might not always be documented, especially when military personnel are killed in confrontations.
Victor Hernandez, a scholar at the Universidad Iberoamericana and security specialist, mentioned that the absence of a centralized inventory and lax internal control procedures largely explain the losses and thefts of firearms within the Mexican army.
Hernandez also acknowledged an illegal market for military items such as uniforms and helmets. He recalled that the former Navy chief, Admiral Rafael Ojeda, previously admitted to detecting cases of elements selling military gear, though they were dismissed due to insufficient grounds for prosecution.
Hernandez further warned about the theft of ammunition, especially explosive types like mortars and grenades, which criminal groups are using with drones. He noted that ammunition lacks serial numbers, making tracking even more challenging.
Proposed Solutions
Experts have suggested several solutions, including:
- Creating unified and updated databases
- Improving traceability controls between military regions
- Coordination between state attorneys general and the Secretariat of Defense
- Strengthening civilian oversight
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue? Over 2,000 firearms have been reported missing or stolen from the Mexican army between 2018 and April 2023.
- Why are experts concerned? There are deficiencies in internal controls and potential underreporting of stolen firearms within the Mexican armed forces.
- What are some proposed solutions? Experts suggest creating unified databases, improving traceability controls, enhancing coordination between state attorneys general and the Secretariat of Defense, and strengthening civilian oversight.
