By Fausto Carbajal Glass, Partner, Miranda Delphi Solutions
In early February, Mexico’s security landscape witnessed significant developments against a backdrop of complex challenges, with escalating tensions with the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration launched multiple initiatives to address security challenges, including “Operativo Frontera Norte” (Operation Northern Border) and proposed legislation to strengthen internal security frameworks. While the government reported initial successes in drug seizures and arrests, criminal organizations have demonstrated their adaptability by expanding into other territories and revenue streams, such as the cartel infiltration of agricultural sectors in Chiapas, or sophisticated human trafficking operations across the country. The period was also marked by high-level bilateral security talks between Mexican and U.S. defense officials, prompted by Trump’s threats of tariffs over border security concerns.
Sheinbaum sends two initiatives to Congress to strengthen security strategy.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced during her daily conference the submission of two new reform initiatives aimed at strengthening Mexico’s security strategy. Without providing extensive details, she indicated that one proposal sent to Congress concerns the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, while the other addresses the National Intelligence and Investigation System. The latter was initially outlined as a new component of Mexico’s National Security Strategy in early October, last year. Its creation is intended to enhance coordination among various security agencies, including the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR), the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), and state prosecutors’ offices. These reforms represent the latest effort in Sheinbaum’s administration to strengthen interagency coordination and improve Mexico’s security apparatus through institutional reform and enhanced collaboration between federal and state security organizations.
La Razón, 2/11/25, Yulia Bonilla: Sheinbaum envía dos iniciativas al Congreso para fortalecer estrategia de seguridad.
SEDENA prepares new internal security legislation.
The Mexican Ministry of Defense (SEDENA) is preparing new internal security legislation that would establish the National Guard as a key instrument for public security while supporting internal and national security functions. This initiative revives a previous legislative effort from 2016-2018 that was ultimately declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. General Javier Sandoval Dueñas, Deputy Chief of Military Doctrine, revealed that the armed forces have been instructed to draft new legislation that reflects current security needs, particularly considering the National Guard’s integration into SEDENA. The proposed law would address evolving security challenges, including drug trafficking, water theft, and agricultural extortion, which often exceed local authorities’ capabilities. Sandoval Dueñas emphasized that the National Guard’s primary mission will remain public security, while supporting internal and national security efforts. He rejected accusations of militarization, stating that military involvement in areas like customs administration demonstrates the government’s trust in military values of honesty, hard work, and patriotism rather than the militarization of civilian functions.
La Jornada, 2/10/25, Gustavo Castillo García: Prepara la Defensa una nueva legislación en seguridad interior.
Hundreds arrested one week into “Operativo Frontera Norte”.
The Mexican government reported 222 arrests and 1,242 kilograms of drugs seized, including 8.6 kilograms of fentanyl, during the first week of “Operativo Frontera Norte”, launched in response to Trump’s threat of 25% tariffs. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch announced that 10,000 military personnel were deployed along the border region beginning February 5th. Significant seizures include 537 kilograms of methamphetamine and 60 kilograms of cocaine in Tijuana, and the dismantling of a drug lab in Nuevo León. Since President Sheinbaum took office in October, authorities have dismantled 192 clandestine meth labs and arrested 1,600 individuals for major crimes. Despite Trump’s criticism that Mexico’s efforts are “not good enough”, officials defended Sheinbaum’s administration’s results, citing a 12% reduction in murders since September 2024, with daily homicides dropping from 86.9 to 76.5. January 2025 recorded the lowest monthly average in recent years, showing a 17.4% decrease compared to January 2019.
Aristegui Noticias, 2/11/25, Redacción: 222 detenidos a una semana del ‘operativo Frontera Norte’.
SEMAR, SEDENA and US Northern Command hold talks on border security.
High-level defense officials from Mexico and the United States held strategic talks focusing on border security and bilateral cooperation. The Mexican Navy Secretary, Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, and Defense Secretary, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, engaged in discussions with U.S. Northern Command’s General Gregory M. Guillot. The meetings emphasized strengthening defense relations and enhancing military coordination for North American defense. The U.S. Northern Command confirmed its commitment to supporting Department of Homeland Security efforts along the border.
As part of recent Mexico-U.S. agreements targeting fentanyl trafficking, the Mexican National Guard and Army have established checkpoints at international bridges in Ciudad Juárez to screen individuals crossing into U.S. territory. This increased federal presence along Mexico’s northern border has sparked mixed reactions among local residents, with some supporting the enhanced security measures while others question their effectiveness and impact on regional mobility.
Aristegui Noticias, 2/07/25, Redacción: Semar, Defensa y Comando Norte de EU dialogan sobre seguridad fronteriza.
Organized crime takes over coffee estates in Chiapas, media reports.
The Sinaloa Cartel’s faction known as “Los Mayitos” has seized control of at least three coffee estates in Chiapas’s highlands, one of Mexico’s primary coffee-producing regions. The criminal group is reportedly forcing local residents to work in coffee harvesting under threats of violence, particularly targeting those who refused to participate in roadblocks against the Mexican Army during August 2024’s territorial conflicts with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The situation intensified in October 2024 with multiple kidnappings. The group allegedly controls over 100 hectares in the Vainilla estate alone, where each hectare yields 1-3 tons of coffee. With current prices exceeding 100 pesos per kilogram, the cartel is profiting significantly from coffee production. The criminal organization has expanded its influence beyond agriculture, controlling local business permits and public transportation concessions, while restricting foreign worker employment in the region.
El Imparcial, 2/10/25, Elsi V. Ventura: El crimen organizado se apodera de fincas cafetaleras en Chiapas, reportan medios.
Drug cartels and human traffickers emerge as ‘winners’ from border blockade.
The intensification of Mexico-U.S. border security under Trump’s hardline policies is expected to benefit Mexican criminal organizations involved in migrant trafficking and kidnapping. Major cartels, including the Noreste Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Sinaloa Cartel, and CJNG, have increasingly diversified into these activities over the past decade. According to EMIF SUR, migrant trafficking generates at least $615 million annually for cartels, with current smuggling fees ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 per person, up from $6,937 in 2022. Migrants face systematic exploitation, including forced payments of $500 to cross cartel-controlled territories and ransoms reaching $10,000 in kidnapping cases. Despite increased border security measures, including Mexico’s deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops, criminal organizations continue to dominate irregular migration routes. The National Human Rights Commission estimates approximately 1,600 migrants are kidnapped monthly, though most cases go unreported due to victims’ irregular immigration status.
Política Expansión, 2/07/25, Lidia Arista: Cárteles y traficantes de personas, los “ganones” con el bloqueo en la frontera.
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Download PDF: MI-SecurityChatter-021225