Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Mexico’s president-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, just revealed her game-changing plan to handle the brutal violence sweeping across northern Mexico, especially in cartel-ridden Sinaloa. She’s not planning on confronting the cartels to stop the violence, her goal is to allow cartels to continue with impunity.
In the wake of a surge in violence across northern Mexico, particularly in Sinaloa, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has addressed the growing concerns during a press conference. The situation in Sinaloa, which led to the cancellation of the traditional Grito de Independencia celebrations in 29 municipalities, has garnered widespread attention.
Sheinbaum reassured the public that measures are being taken to ensure the population’s safety and emphasized the need for a strategic, rather than confrontational, approach to dealing with criminal groups in the region. “The population is being protected,” Sheinbaum declared, adding, “we are not seeking direct confrontation with these groups to prevent an increase in violence.”
Sheinbaum’s approach contrasts with aggressive tactics of the past, which, according to her, only perpetuated cycles of violence. “In times like this, they used to come with all their firepower to continue the violence. Ultimately, what we want is peace in Sinaloa so as not to cause more deaths,” Sheinbaum stated, subtly criticizing previous administrations.
The president-elect made clear that her strategy is inspired by the current administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, often summarized by the phrase “Abrazos, no balazos” (Hugs, not bullets). This philosophy, which favors addressing the root causes of violence rather than engaging in direct conflict with criminal organizations, will continue under Sheinbaum’s leadership.
“Hugs, not bullets” has often been misinterpreted as a passive approach. However, Sheinbaum clarified its intent, stating, “It does not mean sitting back and doing nothing. We want all high-impact crimes to decrease. We seek to protect the causes and implement the strategies that I promoted in Mexico City.” During her tenure as Mexico City’s mayor, Sheinbaum led efforts to tackle crime through social programs, economic development, and enhanced security measures, which she now plans to expand nationwide.
In Sinaloa, one of the regions most affected by organized crime, tensions have escalated, making it difficult for local authorities to ensure public safety. The decision to cancel Grito de Independencia festivities in many areas of Sinaloa, a significant cultural event, underscores the gravity of the situation.
Sheinbaum took the opportunity to express solidarity with the people of Sinaloa, promising that the upcoming administration would continue prioritizing their safety. “Our solidarity with the people of Sinaloa and the objective will always be their protection. The president is doing it responsibly, and when we come in, we will do the same.”
This marks the latest in a series of announcements that indicate Sheinbaum’s determination to address Mexico’s long-standing issues with organized crime, while attempting to avoid the pitfalls of escalated violence that have plagued previous administrations.
The strategy of addressing the causes of crime and focusing on preventive measures, which López Obrador has championed throughout his presidency, has received mixed reactions from different sectors of society. Critics argue that a softer approach might not be sufficient to combat well-armed criminal organizations. Supporters, on the other hand, view it as a necessary shift toward long-term peace, prioritizing human life and societal well-being over short-term confrontations that often result in more bloodshed.
Sheinbaum’s commitment to López Obrador’s security strategy may be key to maintaining the continuity of policies that have both been praised for reducing civilian casualties and criticized for allegedly allowing criminal organizations more leeway. As Mexico prepares for a new administration, the focus on regions like Sinaloa remains a critical point of national discourse.
The president-elect’s comments come at a time when Mexico faces numerous challenges related to violence, with criminal groups maintaining significant control over parts of the country. The strategy of avoiding direct confrontation, while working on addressing the social and economic factors that fuel organized crime, aims to mitigate the risks of exacerbating the current situation.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Mexico’s president-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, just revealed her game-changing plan to handle the brutal violence sweeping across northern Mexico, especially in cartel-ridden Sinaloa. She's not planning on confronting the cartels to stop the violence, her goal is to allow cartels to continue with impunity.
