AMLO Stressed That the Release of Ovidio Guzman Was for Peace

Reminiscing the events of October 2019, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador insisted that the release of El Chapo's son was the best decision considering the safety of the public. 

COVID-19 has affected thousands of Mexicans to date. The country has reached almost 54,000 positive cases 37,000 of which have already recovered and a death toll of almost 6,000. Apart from health issues caused by the virus, thousands are suffering financially as the country sees an increase in unemployment.

But the coronavirus pandemic did not mitigate organized crime in the country. A new cartel has announced its existence. The new cartel which goes by the name CZNG or Zicuirán New Generation Cartel told security forces in a Facebook post, to stay out of the area. The new territories mentioned in the said Facebook post includes La Huacana and Mugica.

They have also mentioned that any aircraft seen that flies over their territory will be fired and any vehicle that enters without permission will be taken. 

AMLO and Mexican cartels

When asked about the president's reaction to the newly formed cartels during the COVID-19 crisis, he refused to answer and said that his security strategy is to promote peace and to avoid any act that will violate human rights. The country will see no more massacres and no more tortures.

Just a year ago, in the same exact state of Michoacan, cartel gunmen killed 13 officers in an ambush and in a few days El Culiacanazo happened. On October 17, the streets of Culiacan, Sinaloa turned into a bloodbath when officers attempted to arrest Ovidio Guzman, son of El Chapo and renowned drug kingpin. The National Guard police arrested Guzman and were shocked when the administration instructed them to release him. 

During that time, President Obrador has repeatedly said that this was done to avoid turning Culiacan into a warzone and to avoid any more bloodshed. After this incident last year, several polls showed that there was a tremendous drop in AMLO's popularity poll.

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Security strategies to solve Mexico's war on drugs

Former President Felipe Calderon launched Mexico's war on drugs in 2006. The aim was to end drug violence using a militaristic anti-drug policy approach. Although thousands have died since this strategy was implemented there are still a few victories. Majority of the cartels were fractured and maybe the greatest victory to date was the capture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman who was sentenced to life imprisonment. 

AMLO's security strategy was to find the root of the problem. According to him, poverty and corruption have to be addressed because without this people would not resort to joining cartels. He claimed that the previous governments were unable to reduce social disparities which is why Mexico is still suffering continued drug violence. 

One of AMLO's strongest critics is former President Felipe Calderon. After AMLO claimed that Mexico was still suffering because the previous administration failed to put a stop on drug violence, Calderon fired back saying that there were more deaths in the current administration compared to his and that Obrador was just incapable of handling the situation.