By Fausto Carbajal Glass, Partner, Miranda Delphi Solutions
Recent news reports paint a complex picture of interconnected security challenges facing the nation, including the continued staggering volume of firearms trafficked across the border, sophisticated money laundering networks involving both political and criminal entities, as well as concerns within the private security sector. Additionally, the entertainment industry has become embroiled in controversy with allegations linking famous musicians and influencers to organized crime. These developments underscore the intricate web of security, political, and social challenges confronting contemporary Mexico, less than a week away from the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.
“Between 200,000 and 873,000 firearms are trafficked annually across the northern border”: El Colegio de México.
El Colegio de México’s Seminar on Violence and Peace has released a comprehensive analysis of firearms trafficking and violence in Mexico, revealing alarming statistics. According to the report, between 200,000 and 873,000 firearms are trafficked annually across the northern border. By 2017, an estimated 13.37 million illegal firearms were in civilian possession, about 80% of the 16.8 million estimated total in circulation. The impact on violence has been severe, with firearms being responsible for over 50% of homicides since 1998, reaching a historic peak of 72.92% in 2024. Despite enforcement efforts that resulted in the seizure of 337,067 firearms between 2005 and June 2024 across three presidential administrations, authorities have only managed to recover about 8.64% of the estimated trafficked weapons. This research emerges as Mexico awaits a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding its lawsuit against gun manufacturers and distributors, highlighting the ongoing challenge of controlling illegal firearms flow and its significant impact on social violence in the country.
El Independiente, 1/10/25, Staff: Entre 200,000 y 873,000 armas de fuego son traficadas anualmente desde la frontera norte: Colmex.
From Narcos to Terrorists: The Unexpected Impact of Designating Mexican Cartels as Terrorist Organizations.
Donald Trump’s proposal to designate Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) could fundamentally transform U.S.-Mexico security cooperation. Beyond semantics, this designation would activate powerful legal tools under various U.S. laws, including the Patriot Act, impacting both countries significantly. The measure would force U.S. arms manufacturers and financial institutions to implement stricter controls, as any support to these organizations—even indirect—would result in severe penalties. While this could help combat drug trafficking and reduce violence by limiting cartels’ access to weapons and financial resources, it raises concerns about U.S. military intervention and Mexican sovereignty. The designation presents a double-edged sword: potentially strengthening international cooperation against organized crime while risking diplomatic tensions. Notably, the proposal’s impact on the U.S. arms industry could test Trump’s commitment to either public safety or gun industry interests.
Newsweek en Español, 1/9/25, Marco Sotomayor: De narcos a terroristas: el impacto inesperado de la declaración de los cárteles mexicanos como organizaciones terroristas.
Murata S.A.: The Mastermind Behind a Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Network Serving Both the PRI and the Sinaloa Cartel.
A major money laundering network has been uncovered in Mexico, centered around Murata S.A., a shell company that received over 301 million pesos in government contracts from PRI-led institutions. The company, officially registered as a military and security services provider, was classified as a phantom enterprise by Mexico’s tax authority (SAT). The investigation reveals deep connections between the company and the Sinaloa Cartel’s financial operations, with evidence of money laundering exceeding 901 million pesos. The network operated primarily in the state of Nuevo León, where it secured numerous government contracts through direct assignments. The scheme involved multiple shell companies, recruited front persons, and sophisticated financial maneuvers to launder money from both public funds and organized crime. The case exemplifies the intricate relationship between political corruption and drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, highlighting the complex challenges in combating financial crimes.
El País, 1/11/25, Zedryk Raziel: Murata S.A., la cabeza de una red de blanqueo millonario que tiene entre sus clientes al PRI y al Cártel de Sinaloa.
Mexican Congress Urged to Pass Private Security Law.
The president of United Security Groups for Mexico (ASUME), has urged Congress to approve the General Private Security Law, highlighting its crucial role in complementing public forces amid rising violence and insecurity. Despite a constitutional reform passed in May 2021 authorizing Congress to enact this legislation, implementation has stalled beyond its November 2021 deadline. The private security sector, comprising over 600,000 personnel and potentially generating up to one million jobs, faces significant challenges due to regulatory fragmentation. Currently, the industry operates under an obsolete Federal Law, 32 state laws, and numerous municipal regulations, resulting in over 500 contradictions that complicate operations and foster corruption. ASUME emphasizes that the new law would establish uniform standards, enhance service quality through certified companies, ensure dignified working conditions, and strengthen coordination between private and public security forces, ultimately improving Mexico’s security landscape.
Forbes Mexico, 1/13/25, Enrique Hernández: Piden al Congreso aprobar Ley de Seguridad Privada.
In leaflets, Peso Pluma, “Markitos Toys” and other influencers are accused of alleged money laundering from organized crime. Who else appears on the list?
In Culiacán, Sinaloa, threatening leaflets appeared implicating 25 social media influencers and musicians in alleged money laundering activities for a criminal organization. The flyers, purportedly issued by a rival group, included several well-known figures from the Mexican regional music scene and social media personalities. The message explicitly warned the public to distance themselves from these content creators and cease supporting their platforms, claiming they provide financial backing to a specific criminal faction. Among those listed is a particularly prominent regional Mexican music artist who has achieved international recognition and filled major venues, though his career has been marked by controversy due to lyrics referencing organized crime figures. The allegations extend to various performers within the regional Mexican music genre, including vocalists from established groups, and several social media personalities. This incident highlights the complex intersection between entertainment, social media influence, and organized crime in Mexico.
UNOTV, 1/10/25, J. Luis Márquez: En volantes, acusan a Peso Pluma, “Markitos Toys” y otros influencers de presunto lavado de dinero del crimen organizado. ¿Quiénes más aparecen en la lista?.
Security, migration and tariffs, Trump’s great agenda regarding Mexico, says expert.
The bilateral relationship between Mexico and a second Trump administration would likely pivot around two critical issues: security and migration. Former U.S. Ambassador to Panama and former Chargé d’Affaires to Mexico, John Feeley, expressed concern about looming tensions between both nations. Key pressure points include Trump’s promised mass deportations, which could strain Mexico’s resources, particularly regarding non-Mexican migrants. The fentanyl crisis emerges as another crucial challenge, with revelations about Trump’s previous suggestions of missile strikes against drug facilities in Mexico pointing to potentially aggressive future approaches, including possible covert military operations. Trade relations could face significant disruption through threatened tariffs, which would impact both economies given Mexico’s position as the United States’ primary trading partner. Despite these challenges, Trump’s relatively moderate stance toward Mexico’s current leadership might reflect a pragmatic recognition of the deep economic interdependence between both nations, though this restraint could shift during his second term.
La Silla Rota, 1/13/25, Erik López: Seguridad, migración y aranceles, la gran agenda de Trump respecto a México, dice experto.
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Download PDF: MI-SecurityChatter-011525