On a clear afternoon above the Chicoasén embarkation point, a U.S.–made helicopter circled low, then banked toward the river corridor. The aircraft—identified in the report as a Sikorsky “Black Howk” UH160L—carried gunners, a jumpmaster, and pilots. It is armored, fitted with two machine guns, and configured to move up to 14 people. The flight was framed as part of a broader plan to stop criminal groups crossing from Central America via the Usumacinta and Grijalva basins.
Officials said the mission is simple: keep traffickers from using Mexico’s southeastern “lungs” as a back door, and restore a sense of safety in towns along the river. The demonstration took place near the Sumidero Canyon area, which authorities describe as previously under-protected.
Chiapas Black Hawk
Commanders highlighted the helicopter’s endurance—up to 4.5 hours in the air—and speeds above 300 km/h. A motto, “Vencer o morir,” is painted on the fuselage, a message meant to signal tempo and resolve behind the new operations. State authorities said the helicopter was acquired together with a U.S.-built Monster 28 patrol boat for a little over 2 billion pesos.
Carlos Alberto Aparicio Avendaño, the state security chief, described upcoming insertions using “soga rápida” and “soga espía,” rope techniques designed for places where landing is not possible. He cast the helicopter as a platform used by some of “the world’s largest forces” and credited Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar’s “political will” for the purchase.
The Monster 28 on the water
Alongside the flyover, the state showcased a Monster 28 interceptor. It is described as a fast, multi-environment patrol craft, with room for a full team and enough speed to chase boats in tight river channels. Authorities say Chiapas now has two of these vessels in service, positioned to work in tandem with the helicopter for interdictions and patrols.
Security leaders also said there would be an exhibition of the state’s intelligence tools, presenting the air-and-river package as part of a single system meant to deter and respond. The emphasis, again, was on visible patrols in places where criminals once felt comfortable moving.
Who is flying and riding shotgun
Aparicio Avendaño said 710 members of the “Fuerza Nacional” were slated to participate in the demonstration. He described them as personnel with airmobile training drawn from the now-defunct Federal Police, the National Guard, the Army, the Navy, and the Defense Secretariat. According to the account, they were “dignified discharges,” certified, and now assigned in Chiapas.
During the showcase, the “pakales”—as the force is branded—conducted a mock takedown of six “suspected traffickers.” Tourists watching clapped, and the security chief leaned into the symbolism, saying the unit is meant to inspire kids to look up to police, not criminals.
Selling results while conceding gaps
Leaders pointed to a claimed drop in crimes that hit household finances, citing reductions in auto theft and “zero extortions.” They also acknowledged a weak spot: robberies around shopping centers, where they say work remains. The message was that the show of force is part of a larger trend line, not a one-day photo op.
At the same time, the government framed the security push as a tourism play. The state tourism secretary said visitor numbers are rebounding compared with last year and urged travelers to return, promising protection. Officials listed Tuxtla Gutiérrez, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Palenque, Tapachula, Comitán, Chiapa de Corzo, and Tonalá as key destinations.
What to watch next
The state is staking a large, visible bet on air-and-river mobility to police a sprawling, forested borderland. The gear is impressive on paper, but the measure of success will be quieter: fewer crossings by criminal groups, fewer robberies where families shop, and safer travel days for people who live from tourism. Claims of progress will need to match daily reality along the Usumacinta and around the Sumidero. The hardware is here; now it has to deliver.
