National Guard Law: Sheinbaum Plan strengthens military role in security

President Claudia Sheinbaum has sent Congress an initiative for a new National Guard Law , which seeks to consolidate its affiliation with SEDENA , grant it a military character, and expand the Army's intelligence powers.

Mexico's public security strategy could undergo a significant new transformation. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has submitted to the Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Union a bill with a draft decree to issue the new National Guard Law , along with a package of reforms to secondary laws that would redefine the role and structure of this key entity. The proposal has already been referred to the Chamber of Deputies, where an intense debate is anticipated.

The core of Sheinbaum's initiative seeks to regulate the 2024 constitutional reform that ordered the operational and administrative transfer of the National Guard (GN) to the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), with the goal of granting it a "military status." This move represents a consolidation of the trend toward the militarization of public security observed in recent years.

The bill not only enacts a new National Guard Law, but also proposes reforming, adding to, and repealing various provisions of at least nine laws, including the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration, the Organic Law of the Mexican Army and Air Force, and the Law on Military Education of the Army and Air Force. A crucial aspect of the proposal is the proposal to grant greater intelligence and investigative powers to SEDENA. This would mean that the National Defense would not only have control of the GN, but would also see its capabilities expanded to generate, operate, process, and utilize information related to National Security, in order to warn of risks and prevent threats.

The proposed legislative package reportedly aims to "build peace throughout the national territory through a comprehensive public security strategy." This strategy would be based on crime prevention, intensive use of intelligence, and greater coordination, including at the international level, to reclaim public space.

The initiative aligns with the broader security plan presented by the Sheinbaum administration, which contemplates the consolidation of the National Guard within SEDENA to ensure its permanence, discipline, and professional development. Furthermore, the plan emphasizes "absolute coordination" with the 32 federal entities and an initial focus on six states with high crime rates: Guanajuato, Baja California, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Jalisco, and Sinaloa.

Ricardo Monreal, president of the Political Coordination Board (JUCOPO) in the Chamber of Deputies, confirmed receipt of the bill submitted by the Federal Executive Branch. This step formally begins the legislative process, which will include analysis, discussion, and eventual voting on the initiative in both chambers of Congress. Given the magnitude of the proposed changes and the implications for the country's security structure, a deep and possibly polarized debate is expected.

The National Guard, created during the previous administration as a civilian security force, has been at the center of an ongoing debate over its nature and command. The intention to fully align it with SEDENA has been a constant, arguing the need for military discipline and operational capacity to confront organized crime. The new initiative seeks to solidify this vision.

The proposal to strengthen military control over the National Guard and expand SEDENA's intelligence powers inevitably rekindles the debate over the militarization of public security in Mexico. Human rights organizations and analysts have consistently expressed concern about the risks this entails, including potential human rights violations, the lack of accountability of the armed forces in civilian tasks, and the weakening of civilian police forces.

The centralization of the security strategy in the federal government, and more specifically in the armed forces, also raises questions about the balance of responsibilities with the states and municipalities, which constitutionally have a leading role in public security.

Although the ruling party and its allies may have a legislative majority to push through the reform, the legitimacy and social acceptance of this new National Guard Law will depend on the government's ability to convincingly argue its necessity and effectiveness. Addressing concerns about the impact on human rights and establishing robust oversight and accountability mechanisms for the corporation and for SEDENA in their new roles will be crucial. Public discussion and civil society participation will be critical in this process.