During a recent press conference, President-elect of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, addressed the ongoing violence in Sinaloa, which recently led to the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations in 29 municipalities across the northern part of the country. Responding to concerns about the escalating security situation, Sheinbaum emphasized that “the population is being protected,” while announcing her administration’s approach to combating organized crime.
Sheinbaum noted that her strategy does not involve seeking direct confrontation with criminal groups, in an effort to avoid exacerbating the violence. “In times of confrontation, caution must be taken to avoid generating more violence, which is why we implemented a different strategy,” Sheinbaum stated. This approach is a marked departure from more aggressive tactics used in the past, which she criticized during her remarks. “In times like this, they used to come with all their firepower to continue the violence. Ultimately, what we want is peace in Sinaloa so as not to cause more deaths,” she added.
The future president reiterated that her administration’s policies will mirror those of the current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, particularly his “hugs, not bullets” approach to combating crime. This policy prioritizes addressing the social causes of violence while avoiding the use of force as the primary tool for dealing with criminal groups. “Hugs, not bullets does not mean sitting back and doing nothing. We want all high-impact crimes to decrease. We seek to protect the causes and implement the strategies that I promoted in Mexico City,” said Sheinbaum, referring to her tenure as mayor of Mexico City where she implemented similar public safety initiatives.
The president-elect’s comments come amid increasing concerns about public safety in Sinaloa, a region that has been deeply affected by organized crime activity. The cancellation of the traditional “Grito de Independencia” festivities underscores the severity of the security crisis in the region. Despite this, Sheinbaum remains committed to a measured approach, emphasizing that her goal is to restore peace without unnecessarily inflaming the situation.
Sheinbaum also took the opportunity to praise the efforts of President López Obrador in his handling of the ongoing violence. “Our solidarity with the people of Sinaloa and the objective will always be their protection. The president is doing it responsibly and when we come in, we will do the same,” she stated, reinforcing her dedication to continuing López Obrador’s security policies.
As she prepares to take office, Sheinbaum’s comments highlight the delicate balance her administration will need to strike between addressing the root causes of crime and maintaining public safety in Mexico’s most violence-stricken regions. The incoming president has vowed to continue pursuing a strategy that promotes peace and avoids the pitfalls of direct confrontation that have historically escalated violence in regions controlled by criminal organizations.
The security situation in Sinaloa remains a pressing issue for the incoming administration, and the approach that Sheinbaum outlined offers a clear signal of her intent to continue López Obrador’s policies. However, with mounting pressure to curb the influence of criminal organizations, it remains to be seen how her administration will navigate the complexities of organized crime, public safety, and peacekeeping in regions like Sinaloa.
