MEXICO CITY — In a significant shift from previous security strategies, Mexico has embarked on establishing a new elite civilian force aimed at tackling the country’s pervasive drug cartels. This move comes six years after the complete handover of security responsibilities to the military by the former president, now being reconsidered under President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.
President Sheinbaum, diverging from her predecessor’s “hugs, not bullets” policy, which sought to address crime’s social roots, is laying the groundwork for a robust civilian investigative and special operations force. Tasked with spearheading this initiative is Omar García Harfuch, the President’s security chief, who is leveraging his extensive law enforcement connections to build a specialized unit. This force, under development, aims to reclaim security duties from the armed forces with García Harfuch in direct control.
Although the government has yet to officially announce this new force, known as the National Operations Unit or UNO by its Spanish acronym, its existence is well-known within former Federal Police circles. This new unit draws primarily from seasoned individuals within those ranks, with García Harfuch himself having roots in the Federal Police. Three senior Mexican officials, who preferred to remain anonymous, have disclosed details about this initiative.
Security analyst David Saucedo, having spoken with members of this budding force, suggests that García Harfuch’s primary aim is to create a formidable armed entity capable of addressing the security demands from Washington. This aligns with the growing international pressure for Mexico to combat the influence of drug cartels, particularly their role in the fentanyl trade.
The UNO began forming shortly after Sheinbaum assumed office, with the objective of recruiting 800 members by the year-end. Last week, García Harfuch was engaged in discussions in Washington with the U.S. administration. Concurrently, Mexico’s security ministry issued a call for university graduates to join the first generation of this investigative and intelligence unit. This call emphasized creating a specialized group dedicated to fortifying Mexico’s security.
Organized into three distinct branches across different regions in Mexico, UNO also boasts an “elite of the elite” team. These current members include former Federal Police officers and veterans of special operations teams originally formed by García Harfuch during his tenure as the police chief of Mexico City. Their qualifications often include advanced training received in the United States, Colombia, Spain, or France.
Restoring trust with U.S. counterparts remains a challenge for García Harfuch, particularly as previous policies under López Obrador constrained the operations of U.S. agents in Mexico. Compounding this is the external pressure from former President Donald Trump’s administration to escalate efforts against the fentanyl trafficking crisis.
For context, following his ascendancy, former President López Obrador inaugurated the National Guard, which he presented as a civilian force but was fundamentally orchestrated by the military. The dissolution of the Federal Police was rooted in allegations of deep-seated corruption, prominently highlighted by the scandals surrounding Mexico’s erstwhile security chief, Genaro García Luna. Despite the militarization that ensued, violence levels remained high, strengthening the cartels amid rising revenue from fentanyl.
UNO’s formation is perceived as a strategic component under García Harfuch’s leadership, consolidating a specialized force directly under his oversight.
Although the federal official contested the narrative that UNO’s formation was directly aimed to appease U.S. demands, it’s noteworthy that the unit facilitated the extradition of 29 high-profile cartel leaders to the United States. This exercise coincided with critical trade discussions between both nations.
Special operations teams in Mexico, whether from Federal Police or other branches, have previously faced criticism due to various misconducts, including extrajudicial actions and infiltration by criminal networks. The new initiative asserts a commitment to rigorous screening processes, comprehensive background checks, and competitive compensation to ensure integrity and accountability.
García Harfuch is expanding his influence into various states helmed by Sheinbaum’s political party, appointing trusted associates to significant security roles. The UNO will also facilitate training for state-level special operations units, consisting predominantly of former Federal Police officers.
In the volatile state of Chiapas, a special operations force, Pakal, was launched with 500 members, many of whom are former Federal Police. This force underwent eight months of intensive training. However, skepticism persists. Without robust internal controls and mechanisms, some analysts express concerns that the new unit could replicate past abuses seen in special operations.