Background and Initial Deployment
Just two weeks into his presidency, Felipe Calderón deployed federal forces in Michoacán. The decision came after then-governor Lázaro Cárdenas Batel, a member of the Party of the Democratic Center (PRD), requested support to confront La Familia, a criminal organization. Calderón’s move was intended to signal his administration’s commitment to combating drug trafficking, which eventually led to the authorization of the Mérida Initiative by then-U.S. President George W. Bush.
Key Milestones and Impact
- By Christmas, over 6,500 soldiers were stationed in Michoacán.
- Calderón emphasized the importance of perseverance in his speech honoring Mexico’s Army Day.
- Operation Tijuana was launched in early 2007, further intensifying the war on drugs.
- From 2007 to 2024, Mexico recorded 486,000 homicides and 130,000 disappearances.
- Under the Trump administration, cartels were designated as terrorist organizations, allowing for military operations against them.
- In 2017, the International Institute for Strategic Studies ranked Mexico as the world’s second-deadliest armed conflict.
Government Responses and Current Situation
A decade after declaring war on cartels, Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed a strategy focused on addressing root causes like inequality and poverty, as well as rebuilding social fabric. His approach includes intelligence work and a de facto unified police command, supported by security meetings involving governors and mayors.
Sinaloa and Guanajuato have been central to federal forces’ efforts, though recent events in a dozen federal entities suggest broader operations are needed. The Tierra Caliente region, encompassing Guerrero, the State of Mexico, and Michoacán, faces a critical period, prompting Uruapan’s mayor, Carlos Manzo, to call for federal intervention.
Current Challenges and Controversies
The circumstances surrounding recent events have sparked debate. The Morena administration criticizes political opportunism and alleges manipulation of youth demanding Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla’s resignation due to perceived inaction.
Despite two decades of violence, the government’s indignation does not align with public exhaustion or the severity of the situation. Experts agree that Mexico’s conflict is a hybrid armed struggle, with Colombia, the Philippines, and Haiti serving as potential parallels.
