Mexico’s Senate approved a proposal to place the National Guard under military command, a move criticized for deepening the country’s militarization. This decision marks the second constitutional change in two weeks, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador securing another victory before his exit. Previously, a judicial overhaul was passed, making all judges in Mexico stand for election, sparking concerns of politicizing the judiciary.
Originally proposed as a civilian force under the Public Safety Ministry, the National Guard will now be led by the military. Despite opposition from human rights organizations and the United Nations, supporters insist this change will enhance the guard’s effectiveness in addressing security issues. Critics argue that militarizing the guard normalizes the idea that military control is necessary for peace, forcing Mexicans to choose between conflict and silence.
Since disbanding the federal police in 2019 and creating the National Guard, López Obrador has relied on the military to combat drug cartels due to the police’s limitations. Military police and retired military officers now make up the guard’s ranks, carrying out various civilian duties beyond security operations. While the president has expanded the military’s role in public security and other civilian areas, concerns remain about the military’s increasing influence in Mexico’s governance.
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