A constitutional reform has officially placed Mexico's National Guard under military control, cementing a long-term shift in the country's policing structure.
Key facts
- •The 2024 constitutional reform formally transfers the National Guard to the Secretariat of Defense.
- •President Claudia Sheinbaum supports the integration of the National Guard into the military.
- •National Guard personnel are currently educated in army universities.
- •The Secretariat of Defense is led by an active-duty general.
- •The reform limits the ability of future governments to establish non-military policing alternatives.
In 2024, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies passed a constitutional reform that formally places the National Guard under the control of the Secretariat of Defense. President Claudia Sheinbaum has embraced this change, which marks a transition from de facto military influence to legal and formal military authority. The National Guard is now led by an active-duty general, and its personnel are educated within the army's university system.
Impact of the Constitutional Reform
The constitutional change solidifies existing practices while creating a permanent structure for federal-level policing. Because the National Guard is now fully integrated into the military framework, future administrations will face significant obstacles in attempting to develop alternative policing institutions. This path of militarization is described as deeper than that of other large democracies in the region.
Future of the National Guard
While the National Guard is integrated into the Secretariat of Defense's educational system, it remains uncertain whether the force can be effectively retrained. There is a possibility that the curriculum provided to officers and troops could be adapted to be more police-like or gendarmerie-like, rather than strictly soldier-like.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by War on the Rocks.
