Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced a major security escalation in the violence-plagued state of Michoacán, deploying nearly 1,000 additional troops and committing over $3 billion in funding following the assassination of a popular mayor.
Immediate Security Response
The decision comes exactly one week after a 17-year-old gunman shot and killed Uruapan Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo during Day of the Dead festivities, sparking widespread protests across the state. Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo confirmed the reinforcements would arrive on Monday, bringing total federal forces in Michoacán to more than 10,000 personnel.
President Sheinbaum acknowledged the public outrage during a Sunday announcement at the National Palace, stating: "His cowardly murder hurts, not only his family and his community, but all of Michoacán and the country." Nearly half of the deployed forces will implement a containment strategy aimed at preventing criminal movement across state lines.
Comprehensive Strategy Against Organised Crime
Security chief Omar García Harfuch revealed that additional intelligence resources would be deployed to bolster investigations against organised crime groups. "Those who generate violence, those who commit crimes, those who harm Michoacán families and the Mexican people will be investigated, arrested and taken before the law," he asserted.
The Sheinbaum administration has demonstrated a stronger stance against powerful drug cartels compared to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This comes amid ongoing pressure from the Trump administration, which has threatened tariffs on Mexican imports to combat drug trafficking into the United States.
Addressing Root Causes of Violence
Significant portions of the $3 billion funding will support existing social programmes targeting what the government identifies as fundamental drivers of violence: unemployment, poverty, and inadequate healthcare. The administration plans to expand educational scholarships to deter young people from joining criminal organisations.
President Sheinbaum emphasised that security challenges cannot be resolved through force alone, echoing her predecessor's philosophy. She committed to reviewing progress in Michoacán every two weeks during her daily morning press briefings, ensuring the state remains a national priority.
Michoacán represents a persistent security challenge for Mexican leaders, with multiple criminal groups competing for control of drug trafficking routes through critical infrastructure like the Pacific port of Lazaro Cardenas. These organisations also extort local businesses, particularly avocado and lime growers, creating an environment of fear and instability.
