Mexico’s Senate has recently given approval for the National Guard to be placed under military command, a decision that has sparked controversy and concerns over the increased militarization of the country. This marks the second significant constitutional change in a span of two weeks, solidifying outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s agenda before his term concludes. Earlier, a contentious judicial overhaul proposed by the president mandated that all of the nation’s judges should go through elections, leading to fears of the politicization of the judiciary.

Initially proposed as a civilian-led security force under the jurisdiction of the Public Safety Ministry, the National Guard’s transition to military command has faced opposition from various human rights groups and the United Nations. Despite criticism, the ruling Morena party and its supporters argued that this move aims to enhance the National Guard’s effectiveness in ensuring public security, rather than militarizing the country further. This decision contradicts a previous attempt by the president to place the National Guard under military control, which was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2020.

Opposition Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio voiced concerns that militarizing the National Guard suggests that Mexico must rely on military intervention to achieve peace, rather than promoting a justice-centered approach. The disbandment of Mexico’s federal police by López Obrador in 2019 led to the formation of the National Guard, primarily consisting of military police and overseen by retired military officials. Over the years, successive administrations have increasingly utilized the military in policing duties due to the challenges posed by powerful drug cartels in the country.

López Obrador’s administration has entrusted the military with expanded responsibilities beyond security matters, involving them in civilian tasks such as the management of ports and airports. This ongoing trend underscores a shift towards greater military involvement in various aspects of governance, a strategy that has drawn both support and criticism within Mexican society. Despite the controversies surrounding the militarization of the National Guard, the recent Senate approval reflects López Obrador’s persistent reliance on military institutions as key pillars of his administration’s policies.