Mexico's National Guard has a new and unusually small recruit: an 8-inch-tall, 15-pound Chihuahua named Comando. While most military and national guard units favour larger breeds such as German Shepherds, this tiny dog has been adopted to assist with search-and-rescue work and serve as an unofficial mascot.
Comando was adopted around six months ago as a puppy after his elderly owners could no longer care for him. He now has his own fitted vest, miniature goggles and a head-mounted camera to help with his duties.
A brave start in training
Comando has already shown bravery during a training session, reportedly jumping into action and completing an obstacle course while a fully trained larger dog remained frozen.
Lieutenant Debora Hernandez said Comando is reminding many that 'beneath the uniform, we are human beings.'
Supporting the fight against organised crime
Though his role and size are small, his service is intended to aid the National Guard in its ongoing fight against organised crime. Cartels are spread across Mexico, and have been engaged in turf wars and battles for control of drug supply from Sinaloa to the Gulf for decades.
Earlier this year, an influx of violence across Mexico followed the death of drug lord 'El Mencho', bringing cartels back into the global spotlight. Forced disappearances, murders in broad daylight and mass graves have become common as cartels defend their territory and protect drug supplies.
Context of Mexico's drug war
Mexico's drug war began as a civil war inside the cartels, triggered by the 1989 arrest of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, known as 'the Godfather', for the torture and murder of an American agent.
Current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, like her predecessor, has criticised the 'kingpin' strategy of previous administrations that removed cartel leaders only to trigger explosions of violence as cartels fractured. While she has remained popular in Mexico, security remains a persistent concern, and she has faced pressure to show results against drug trafficking.
