Mexico murder rates set to rise pre-election

Subject

Security pre-election in Mexico.

Significance

The former mayor of Colipa, Veracruz, Victor Molina Dorantes, was shot dead on January 9. His killing follows that of Miguel Angel Licona -- former mayor of Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo -- on January 3. Over 100 former, established or newly elected mayors have been murdered since Mexico launched its 'war on drugs' in 2006, but a recent uptick has seen more than a dozen such killings in the last few months. In total, more than 23,000 murders occurred in 2017, making it Mexico’s bloodiest year on record. Nevertheless, with general elections fast approaching, the government shows no sign of changing tack on its failed security policies, enacting a controversial security law that looks set to cement the military's role in policing.

Impacts

• Newly appointed Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete will not significantly alter the security policies of his predecessor.
• The Internal Security Law is more likely to exacerbate violence than bring any meaningful security improvements.
• If approved by the Supreme Court, the law will reposition the military in the political arena, further disrupting civil-military balances.