The president of Mexico expressed his discontent with Mexico and Canada during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). The head of government of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, meanwhile, has defended her four-pillar security plan, which includes addressing the root causes of violence, consolidating the National Guard, using intelligence against crime, and coordinating between federal and state authorities.
During one of the calls with President Donald Trump, Sheinbaum stated that he "acknowledged" that he would "copy" the anti-fentanyl campaign of the Mexican government, which, according to her, demonstrates that "Mexico is a great country." The Mexican president highlighted that they have carried out a drug campaign to prevent young people from getting involved in violence and drug use.
In January, Mexico recorded 2,373 homicides, representing a year-on-year decrease of 2.51%. During the first four months of Claudia Sheinbaum's presidency, 9,677 murders have been reported, marking a reduction of 6.21%. Data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP) shows that January was the least violent month since 2018.
In addition to the decrease in homicides, statistics reveal that total crime incidence fell by 6.6% year-on-year, with significant drops in femicides and robberies, but increases in kidnappings and retail drug sales. During the first four months of Sheinbaum's presidency, there were 641 fewer homicides compared to the same period the previous year.
The official has highlighted that the daily average of murders has dropped by 12% during her presidency, going from 86.9 daily victims in September to 76.5 in January. These figures indicate a positive change compared to the previous administration. However, this progress occurs in a context of pressure from the United States, which has increased restrictive policies towards Mexico and requested greater cooperation on security issues.
The U.S. government recently designated six Mexican cartels as terrorists and demanded that the Mexican government make greater efforts in combating drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Despite this situation, Sheinbaum continues to support her security strategy and highlight the progress made in reducing violence in the country.
