Introduction
Beyond the gravity of a prestigious institution like the Navy having fuel thieves (huachicoleros) within its ranks for over two years, as stated by Alejandro Gertz, and even beyond the gravity of President López knowing about it, covering it up, or being complicit, there lies a more serious issue. There’s an enormous elephant in the room that nobody wants to acknowledge, as I mentioned last week. This matter extends beyond a few vice admirals, captains, or lieutenants who have, exceptionally, become involved with criminal organizations.
Historical Context and Shifting Attitudes
The left-wing, historically wary of the military due to past repressions and persecutions, has ironically become protectors of the armed forces. Military personnel remain untouchable, untarnished, and opaque, making them particularly vulnerable to crime organization infiltration. This issue remains unspoken publicly, yet it’s crucial to question not only if crime organizations have already infiltrated high-ranking military officials but also consider the possibility that sectors of Mexico’s armed forces have become part of these criminal networks. The history of the Zetas, a notorious cartel founded by elite military personnel trained in the U.S., serves as a perturbing example.
The Missing Persons Crisis
Among the many unspoken issues, the missing persons crisis stands out as particularly painful. This problem, known for decades, intensified in 2006 when Calderón’s “war” on drug trafficking began. Under López Obrador, the number of disappeared individuals increased further. According to Red Lupa, nearly half of the approximately 120,000 disappeared occurred during the previous administration. López Obrador attempted to manipulate these figures, dismissing the national search commissioner who revealed an unwanted number. Sheinbaum and her predecessor have ignored the topic, along with the unidentified bodies accumulating in the country’s morgues—over 72,000 and rising, with more than half entering between 2018 and 2024.
Stagnant Economy and Corruption
Palacio Nacional repeatedly asserts that relations with the U.S. are good, yet Mexico already faces threats of armed incursions, trade sanctions, and foreign vessels off its coast. Moreover, the economy remains stagnant, failing to reach even a mediocre 2.1% growth rate of past eras.
Tests for the Current Administration
There are two significant tests for the current administration: securing stable existence through gaining space and dealing with the consequences of excessive success, which has led to corruption originating from within the 4T ranks. The upcoming fierce struggle for candidacy further complicates matters.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the main issue discussed in this article? The deepening crisis of corruption within Mexico’s military, including infiltration by criminal organizations and the stagnant economy.
- Q: Why is the left-wing’s support for the military significant? Historically wary of the military due to past repressions, the left-wing’s current support makes the armed forces vulnerable to crime organization infiltration.
- Q: How severe is the missing persons crisis in Mexico? The crisis is acute, with nearly half of the approximately 120,000 disappeared occurring during the previous administration under López Obrador. Over 72,000 unidentified bodies are in morgues, with more than half entering between 2018 and 2024.
- Q: What challenges does the current administration face? Securing stable existence, dealing with the consequences of excessive success leading to corruption, and navigating the fierce struggle for candidacy within the 4T ranks.
