What's happened
In her first month in office, President Claudia Sheinbaum confronts a surge in cartel violence, including massacres and attacks on civilians. While she initially promised a non-violent approach, recent events suggest a shift towards militarized tactics, raising concerns about civilian safety and the effectiveness of her strategy.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, President Sheinbaum is facing a significant challenge with an average of 74 homicides per day, a stark increase from the previous month. The Independent highlights a notable shift in her administration's tone, suggesting a willingness to confront cartel violence more aggressively, contrasting with her predecessor's approach. The Guardian reports on specific measures taken in Sinaloa, where authorities have warned residents against wearing masks during Halloween to avoid being mistaken for cartel members, illustrating the pervasive fear among citizens. These sources collectively depict a complex and evolving situation in Mexico, where the balance between military action and social programs remains contentious.
How we got here
Claudia Sheinbaum took office on October 1, 2024, inheriting a country plagued by cartel violence. Her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, had emphasized social programs over military action, but the current wave of violence has prompted questions about the viability of this approach.
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Sinaloa, officially the Estado Libre y Soberano de Sinaloa, is one of the 32 states which comprise the Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities and its capital city is Culiacán Rosales.
It is located in Northwestern Mexico. It is
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Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea
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Chiapas, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Chiapas, is one of the states that make up the 32 federal entities of Mexico. It is divided into 124 municipalities as of September 2017 and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Other important populat
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Andrés Manuel López Obrador is the 58th and current President of Mexico, since 1 December 2018.
Born in Tepetitán, in the municipality of Macuspana, in south-eastern state of Tabasco, López Obrador graduated from the National Autonomous University of