The official met with the governor of Zacatecas, David Monreal Ávila, to reaffirm the commitment to shared security objectives.
“I look forward to learning from my meetings with state and federal security leaders what steps they are taking to make the state safer and how we can be more supportive,” said Ken Salazar.
“Due to the increase in crime, the United States recently added Zacatecas to the list of states where it is not advisable to travel. Without security there can be no prosperity and support for investment fades. Investing in security and justice encourages investment and job creation,” said Ken Salazar.
Since 2021, Zacatecas has been experiencing one of the most violent episodes in its recent history with an increase in intentional homicides, disappearances of people and armed confrontations in rural communities and urban locations.
On November 24, 2021, the federal government instructed the Secretary of National Defense and the National Guard to lead the Support Plan for Zacatecas, which included the dispatch – initially – of 460 security elements, 210 belonging to the Mexican Army and 250 to the National Guard. These elements were added to the 3,848 that were already operating in the entity, according to an official statement.