Historical Context and Background
On December 10, 2006, then-President Felipe Calderón (PAN) declared war on drug trafficking, marking the beginning of a series of horrific events: shootouts, executions, disappearances, criminal training camps, and clandestine graves.
Over the past 19 years, there has been no respite from this violence. The security strategy initiated by Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI) proved to be a failure, as it only escalated the disputed zones, fragmented drug cartels, and resulted in the bloodshed of countless innocent people.
Furthermore, Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s inaction was criminal. His “hugs not bullets” policy not only failed to reduce homicides but also allowed drug cartels to occupy entire territories, corrupt officials, and challenge the sovereignty of a nation wounded by death and disappearances.
Return to Michoacán: A Troubling Reflection
Michoacán, the state where the war on drugs began, now serves as a mirror for the country’s security situation. If the security policy and institutional framework fail there, it will only worsen in other regions.
In Michoacán, criminal training camps operate, and outlaws infiltrate municipal security areas to extort local business owners, entrepreneurs, and farmers. The struggle for control of the avocado and lemon businesses occurs with weapons drawn.
The mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, found himself torn between loyalty to his community’s interests and pressure from armed groups. His warnings were ignored, and in this institutional silence, tragedy festered.
Allowing a mayor to be assassinated during a public celebration is not an accident; it’s a message. This message indicates that local democracy is under threat, and it cannot be ignored.
A Pattern of Violence
During the tenure of Michoacán’s governor, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla (Morena), the assassination of mayors became a pattern rather than an extraordinary news item. Presidents of Contepec, Aguililla, Churumuco, Cotija, Tepalcatepec, and now Uruapan were executed.
Michoacán has once again become a stage for open impunity, where organized crime not only inflicts violence but also exercises power.
The Need for Change
Mexico cannot afford to return to Michoacán as a symbol of failure. The country must prevent it from becoming a laboratory for violence once more, as there can be no military victory when ordinary citizens continue to bury their children, spouses, and mayors.
True security cannot exist while the state loses authority over weapons. It is crucial to rebuild institutions, strengthen public ministries, and ensure that each investigation advances and that every prosecutor acts without partisan bias.
Looking at Michoacán is like looking into a mirror reflecting what Mexico could become if it doesn’t change course. Politicians, officials, and institutions must recognize that deploying troops alone is insufficient; the foundations need rebuilding.
Key Questions and Answers
- Why are we returning to Michoacán? Michoacán, where the war on drugs began, now mirrors the broader security challenges in Mexico. If the security policy and institutional framework fail there, they will only worsen in other regions.
- What led to the current situation? The security strategy initiated by Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI) proved to be a failure, escalating disputed zones, fragmenting drug cartels, and resulting in the bloodshed of countless innocent people. Additionally, Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s inaction allowed drug cartels to occupy territories, corrupt officials, and challenge the sovereignty of a nation wounded by death and disappearances.
- What does the assassination of Mayor Carlos Manzo signify? Allowing a mayor to be assassinated during a public celebration is not an accident; it’s a message. This message indicates that local democracy is under threat, and it cannot be ignored.
- How can Mexico prevent a relapse into violence? True security cannot exist while the state loses authority over weapons. It is crucial to rebuild institutions, strengthen public ministries, and ensure that each investigation advances and that every prosecutor acts without partisan bias.
