Mexico's Sheinbaum Faces Challenges in First Months of Presidency

In her first three months as president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum faces an escalating security crisis, characterized by increased murder and disappearance rates compared to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. According to a recent report by the think tank México Evalúa, Sheinbaum's administration saw more violent incidents during this period, though she has initiated more operations, arrests, and seizures of drugs and weapons. Sheinbaum continues the previous administration's focus, which emphasized tackling the root causes of violence but has introduced a more intelligence-driven approach. Her appointment of Omar García Harfuch to head the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection has been seen as a pivotal move in reorienting security tactics. However, experts, including Armando Vargas from México Evalúa, argue that the context of entrenched criminal regimes poses significant challenges. The effectiveness of Sheinbaum’s approach remains uncertain, as it heavily targets homicide rates while neglecting other forms of violence like extortion. The long-term impact of her aggressive actions raises questions about whether they will yield meaningful change or echo the failures of past strategies.

Claudia Sheinbaum's initial 100 days as Mexico's president have been marked by a troubling increase in violence, with higher rates of murder and missing persons compared to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. According to reports from the think tank México Evalúa, Sheinbaum's administration has seen more violent incidents in regions where organized crime has grown entrenched, complicating efforts to regain state control. While she maintains López Obrador's foundational narrative of addressing root causes of violence, Sheinbaum has shifted focus to “intelligence” and “investigation.” Her administration's early months feature increased security operations and arrests, credited partly to appointing Omar García Harfuch as head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, which has altered the national security approach. However, the rise in violent crime, particularly "political-criminal violence," raises concerns. Armando Vargas from México Evalúa warns that Sheinbaum's inherited context is more dire than that of López Obrador. The administration's efficacy in addressing crime is under scrutiny, as high impunity rates for violent crimes persist, suggesting that substantive change is still needed.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that her government is allied with drug cartels, calling the claim “slanderous.” Trump's remarks came as he announced a 25% tariff against Mexico, allegedly in response to illegal immigration and what he labeled an “intolerable alliance” between the narco-traffickers and the Mexican government. In a statement posted on social media, Sheinbaum declared, "We categorically reject the White House’s slanderous claim," and pointed out that if any alliance exists, it is with U.S. gun manufacturers supplying arms to criminal organizations. Following Trump’s comments, governors from Mexico's 31 states and Mexico City united in condemnation, asserting that the allegations are baseless and disregard the significant efforts Mexico has made to tackle organized crime. Despite warnings that such tariffs could destabilize Mexico's economy, prompting potential retaliation, Trump's claims have shifted focus from economic to political issues, inducing widespread coverage in Mexican media and public outrage.