Mexican army swallows up national guard to take on bigger policing role

[Judi Lynn]

National guard replaced federal police two years ago

Critics say army not trained or suited for law enforcement

Associated Press in Mexico City
Tue 15 Jun 2021 12.08 EDT



The thin pretense that Mexico’s national guard is a civilian force that was used to gain approval for its creation two
years ago has been erased. Photograph: Eduardo Verdugo/AP

Associated Press in Mexico City
Tue 15 Jun 2021 12.08 EDT

Mexico’s president has announced plans to make the national guard part of the army, erasing the thin pretense of a civilian-controlled force that was used to gain approval for its creation two years ago.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador dissolved the former federal police soon after taking office in late 2018, saying the force was corrupt. He replaced it with the national guard under the nominal control of the civilian public safety department.

The idea was that the 100,000-member guard could gradually allow the army to withdraw from law enforcement duties. But the vast majority of recruits, officers and training always came from the military, often on loan.

López Obrador said on Tuesday he planned to propose a constitutional amendment to make the national guard part of the defense department, to ensure its budget would not be cut by subsequent administrations.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/15/mexican-national-guard-army-policing-role