Mexico: Congress Votes in Favor of Keeping Mexican Military's Presence in Streets

Congress in Mexico voted on Thursday in favor of extending the military's presence in the streets until 2028. Mexican armed forces have been performing public security duties for years as part of Mexico's fight against drugs and cartels that run the country's drug trade.

However, critics claimed that extending military obligations for four years will further militarize the nation, BBC reported. Rights groups claimed that the militarization of police work has resulted in violations of human rights and increased violence.

However, members of the president's party argued that removing the army from the streets would leave Mexico's population vulnerable to organized crime groups.

Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Trusts Mexican Armed Forces More Than Local Police

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is in favor of continuing to have troops on the streets because he believes they are more trustworthy. He is known for giving the military more responsibilities than any previous leader.

The Lopez Obrador-supported bill needs to be ratified by a majority of the 32 state legislatures in Mexico after passing the lower house. Most experts agree that Mexico needs civilian police who are well-paid, trained well, and equipped.

In 2006, the army and marines were called in to help local police fight the well-armed drug cartels in the country. According to some reports, the country's state and local police are often poorly trained, corrupt, and unprofessional.

Lopez Obrador exclusively relied on the Mexican armed forces. He removed the civilian federal police and established the National Guard, which he wanted to turn over to the Defense Department.

According to Associated Press, the Mexican president has used the military for everything from running airports and trains to building infrastructure projects.

Mexico State and Local Police Lack Funding

The reform to expand the military's role in Mexico will also reportedly restore some of the funds that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador slashed shortly after taking office in December 2018 to boost state and municipal police forces.

But the measure, which the Senate has already approved, does not say how much money will be given to improve civilian police. All it said was that it could not be less than the annual increase in military and National Guard funding, ABC News reported.

But according to a bill voted by the lower house this week, a large portion of the money would come from the government taking over domestic bank accounts that have not been used for at least six years.

However, Lopez Obrador said Thursday that even that money should not go to the police. Instead, he said, "it should be for disabled people, the elderly, health care." Many local police departments are in a mess due to a lack of funds. Underpaid cops perform 24-hour shifts and must purchase their equipment and uniforms.

Meanwhile, critics claimed that the military is not trained to be the police force and conducts fewer investigations. The military forces have also been accused of violating human rights while on duty.

But despite that, studies showed that most Mexicans trust the army more than municipal police and want the army and navy to continue undertaking law enforcement.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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