Mexico’s Senate has passed legislation that would transfer control of the country’s National Guard to the military, a contentious move that rights groups and Opposition lawmakers say gives too much power to the armed forces and could lead to abuses.
When the National Guard was created under a Constitutional reform in 2019, it was placed under civilian control, but most of its training and recruitment has been done from within the country’s military.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has waved aside concerns over the increased militarisation of public security, saying the guard must now be under military command to prevent corruption.
However, Opposition parties have said they plan to file court appeals challenging the new legislation, which they argue violates the Constitutional guarantee on civilian control.
The Mexican military has been criticised for a record of abuses, and rights groups have warned that removing civilian control over the National Guard could lead to similar violations.
Executive Director of Amnesty International Mexico, Edith Olivares Ferreto said there had already been disastrous results from the militarisation of public security forces in Mexico over the past 16 years.
“We call on the Executive Branch to design a plan for the progressive withdrawal of the armed forces from the streets, prioritising the strengthening of civilian police forces and the development of public prevention policies aimed at guaranteeing public safety,” Ms Ferreto said.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif said the reforms effectively left Mexico without a civilian police force at the Federal level, and further consolidated the already prominent role of the armed forces in security in Mexico.
“The security forces should be subordinated under civilian authorities,” Ms Al-Nashif said.
Mexico City, 11 September 2022
