Sheinbaum continued in his speech: “Mexico is living in virtuous times!” At the end, all the senior officers of the Mexican Armed Forces applauded loudly, bowing in loyalty to the first female president in history.
What a year! 2024 marks a historic chapter for Mexico: Claudia Sheinbaum becomes the first female president and, therefore, the first head of the country’s Armed Forces. His leadership represents a fresh perspective in the fight against organized crime and aims to redefine the relationship between government, security and citizenship. But what does it really mean to have a woman at the head of the military forces and how can this change the strategy against drug trafficking?
A different look at National Security
Public security in Mexico has been a delicate issue for decades, especially with the problem of drug trafficking and violence.
Felipe Calderón, president from 2006 to 2012, was the one who started the “war on drugs,” focusing the strategy on military use to combat the cartels. However, this tactic not only failed to achieve its goal of reducing violence, but in many cases intensified it. Sheinbaum, with her training as a scientist, proposes an approach based more on evidence and less on the use of force, seeking more sustainable solutions that attack the roots of the problem.
From her experience as Head of Government of Mexico City (2018-2023), Sheinbaum demonstrated that a security strategy can be successful with comprehensive approaches. In the capital, it focused on strengthening the local Police, promoting citizen proximity and, above all, using data science and technology to identify criminal patterns and anticipate them. Sheinbaum’s logic is clear: fighting crime requires not only strength, but also intelligence.
How a woman can change the strategy against drug trafficking
The fact that she is the first female president and head of the Armed Forces is not only a symbol of progress in terms of gender equality, it can also represent a more humanistic and empathetic vision in the security strategy. The presence of women in positions of high political responsibility often brings with it a more inclusive approach and a tendency to prioritize long-term solutions over immediate and aggressive tactics.
Furthermore, Sheinbaum has pointed out on several occasions the importance of reducing militarization in the fight against drug trafficking. Its approach appears to be more oriented toward strengthening civil institutions and promoting social programs that reduce the need for people to engage in illicit activities. This includes education, employment and improving living conditions in vulnerable communities, with the intention of preventing crime before it happens.
The importance of a scientific strategy
Sheinbaum holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and this scientific background is reflected in her approach to governance. Their strategies are based on evidence, data analysis and studies on the impact of different interventions. This could be an important change in how security has been managed in the country, since the use of data and scientific tools can make a difference in understanding criminal patterns, measuring the effectiveness of programs and reducing violence in a more planned and structured.
Her experience as Head of Government in Mexico City is key to understanding this approach. During his administration, the city experienced a significant reduction in some crime rates. This is attributed to a policy that was based on preventive measures, targeted interventions and social programs aimed at improving the quality of life of the most vulnerable sectors. Sheinbaum’s experience in this role gives him an advantage, as he understands the complexity of urban problems and has demonstrated that, with the right strategy, positive results can be achieved.
