In recent years, Mexico has experienced an alarming increase in violence linked to organized crime, profoundly affecting the population’s perception of security. States such as Baja California, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Michoacán, Morelos, and Jalisco have witnessed brutal confrontations, homicides, and other high-impact crimes that have altered the daily lives of their inhabitants.
Violence in Mexico, particularly in the mentioned states, is not a new phenomenon, but its intensity and frequency have increased. Drug cartels, now diversified into illicit activities such as extortion, kidnapping, and fuel theft, have escalated their territorial disputes. These internal and external struggles have resulted in a record number of homicides and violent acts, profoundly impacting the social and economic fabric of these regions.
In Baja California, Tijuana has been one of the epicenters of violence. The clashes between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) have created a climate of terror, affecting not only those involved in drug trafficking but also the general population caught in the crossfire. Nuevo León, with Monterrey as its industrial capital, has seen a resurgence of violence after a period of relative calm. Similarly, Tamaulipas, where control of territory and drug trafficking routes has turned cities like Reynosa and Matamoros into battlegrounds.
Guanajuato has emerged as one of the most violent states, with cartels fighting for control of the fuel theft market. Violence has escalated to unprecedented levels, affecting not only large cities but also rural areas. Zacatecas, for its part, has become a strategic point for drug trafficking, increasing homicides and the perception of insecurity.
In Chihuahua, drug-related violence has been constant, especially in Ciudad Juárez. Michoacán has experienced an internal war between cartels and self-defense groups, while in Morelos, the rise in violence has been attributed to the presence of CJNG cells. Additionally, Jalisco, home to the powerful CJNG, has seen an increase in violent acts, from armed confrontations to disappearances and targeted killings. Guadalajara and its surroundings have become high-risk areas.
Organized crime violence has deeply impacted citizens’ perception of security. According to the National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) conducted by INEGI, a large majority of Mexicans consider living in their city to be unsafe. In the most affected states, this feeling is even more pronounced. Citizens not only fear for their physical safety but have also changed their daily habits: avoiding going out at night, limiting social activities, and taking extreme measures to protect themselves, such as installing security systems in their homes and vehicles.
The Mexican government’s response has been insufficient to counter this wave of violence. Although various strategies have been implemented, such as deploying the National Guard and joint operations between federal and state forces, the results have been limited. Corruption and impunity remain significant obstacles in the fight against organized crime. The rise in violence from organized crime in Mexico and its correlation with the population’s perception of insecurity represents one of the country’s most urgent challenges.
It is essential for the Mexican government to adopt a comprehensive strategy that not only combats the cartels head-on but also addresses the structural causes of violence, such as inequality, corruption, and lack of opportunities. Only then can the peace and security that Mexicans deserve be restored.