Sheinbaum’s First 100 Days Mark Increase in Violence Amid Security Strategy Overhaul

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Claudia Sheinbaum's initial months as Mexico’s president have seen a troubling rise in murders and missing persons, according to research from think tank México Evalúa. The report indicates that the violence levels exceed those recorded during the same period of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. While Sheinbaum continues with the narrative of addressing the root causes of violence, she places greater emphasis on intelligence and investigation, aligning her security strategy more with operational effectiveness.

Under her administration, security operations have increased, and Omar García Harfuch's appointment as head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection is a defining factor in this transition. However, the surge in violence — particularly political-criminal incidents — is highlighted as a significant concern. Armando Vargas of México Evalúa notes that the violence Sheinbaum inherited is more severe than that faced by López Obrador. Critics argue that despite the arrests and seizures, the lack of a comprehensive approach to violence and the high rates of impunity undermine the potential for lasting change in Mexico's security landscape.

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