Background on Claudia Sheinbaum and Her Initiative
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City, proposed an initiative to regulate the actions of security institutions and related policies, programs, mechanisms, and actions concerning her government’s security strategy. This proposal led to the creation of the Ley General del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública (General Law of the National Public Security System).
Legislative Process and Approval
After a marathon session, the Chamber of Deputies approved a second draft for the Ley de Seguridad Nacional de Investigación e Inteligencia en materia de Seguridad Pública (National Security Investigation and Intelligence Law on Public Security), which includes access to public and private databases. The bill was passed with 423 votes in favor and 63 against, with the support of most parties except for the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
The approved legislation aims to establish legal foundations for coordination mechanisms that strengthen police forces, prosecution offices, correctional systems, institutional certification, and oversight of federal resources related to security.
This new law repeals the Ley General del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2009. It mandates the creation of the National Information System, integrating various national registries such as armaments, detentions, criminal incident data, penitentiary information, protective orders for women, adolescents, girls, and boys, the National Registry of Stolen and Recovered Vehicles, anonymous denunciations, and more.
Role of the National Guard
The legislation explicitly recognizes the National Guard as a member of the security system, involving it in the National Conference of Secretaries of Public Security and Local Councils.
Security Public as a State Function
The new law designates public security as a state function managed by the federal government, states, and municipalities. Their objectives are to safeguard lives, rights, integrity, and property of individuals while preserving liberties, public order, and social peace.
Legislative Amendments and Controversy
Late-night Changes by Morena Majority:
Last-minute amendments by the majority of Morena removed provisions for creating a National Mobile Telephony Users Registry, which would have obligated telecommunications companies to register all users and deactivate lines not linked to individuals (except security and emergency services). The data would have been managed by the new Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications.
Another amendment eliminated the stipulation that public security is a civil matter and modified obligations of the National Security Council regarding federal contributions to states and municipalities.
Criticism from PRI’s Rubén Moreira Valdez
Rubén Moreira Valdez, the PRI coordinator, criticized these modifications as a “legislative mess” and an “albazo” (an unexpected, forceful action). He argued that these changes push public security towards excessive state surveillance, diminish collaboration with states, and overemphasize the role of the state as a watcher.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the new law? The new law aims to regulate security institutions’ actions and related policies, programs, mechanisms, and actions concerning the Mexican government’s security strategy.
- Who proposed this initiative? The proposal came from Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City.
- What changes were made to the original draft? The Morena majority made last-minute amendments, removing provisions for a National Mobile Telephony Users Registry and altering obligations related to federal contributions to states and municipalities.
- What is the National Information System? The National Information System integrates various national registries, including armaments, detentions, criminal incident data, penitentiary information, protective orders for vulnerable groups, vehicle theft records, and anonymous denunciations.
- How does the National Guard fit into this new law? The National Guard is explicitly recognized as a member of the security system, participating in the National Conference of Secretaries of Public Security and Local Councils.
- What are the main criticisms of these legislative changes? Critics, like Rubén Moreira Valdez from the PRI, argue that these changes excessively emphasize state surveillance and diminish collaboration with states.
