In response to the tragic deaths of seven Mexican National Guard cadets in Ensenada, Baja California, the Mexican government has enacted strict new regulations aimed at preventing future incidents. The cadets lost their lives due to a hazing incident ordered by Lieutenant Colonel David López Ordaz, who now faces trial for homicide. This tragedy has prompted significant reforms within the military education system, specifically targeting hazing practices and strengthening the code of conduct for military personnel and students.
The government has issued a decree amending the military education regulations, explicitly including the high command of military schools in the article that defines the reasons for student expulsion. Previously, the regulations did not directly address the officers who supervise soldiers in training. The new regulations now increase the requirements for these officers to continue training with the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena).
Key Changes in Regulations
One of the significant changes is the inclusion of “personnel with the rank of officers and classes” among the “causes for discharge” from educational institutions. This umbrella now covers captains, lieutenants, sergeants, and corporals from military schools, allowing them to be expelled for “engaging in actions that denigrate military dignity or threaten the physical integrity” of a student.
The reforms also introduce new Article 13, which aims to prevent hazing among students, especially those with differences in seniority and experience. This is particularly relevant to the tragic event in Ensenada, where the hazing involved forcing cadets to jump into the sea under dangerous conditions. The article stipulates that “physical, verbal, deed or psychological abuse of other students, as well as all those actions that put the physical integrity or health of said persons at risk,” will be grounds for expulsion.
Article 140 of the military education regulations will now include 25 provisions that could lead to expulsion, a significant increase from the previous 12. These provisions are intended to enforce stricter behavior within Army barracks, prohibiting actions such as piercing, getting tattoos larger than 10×10 centimeters, engaging in consensual sexual relations within educational centers, and participating in behaviors of harassment and sexual stalking.
Response from Military Leadership
The decree, signed by Secretary of Defense Luis Cresencio Sandoval, is seen as a necessary step to instill discipline and ensure the safety of military students. These changes reflect a broader effort to uphold military dignity and protect the physical integrity of all military personnel.
The reform of the Regulations of the Law of Military Education of the Mexican Army and Air Force represents a crucial move to prevent tragedies like the one in Ensenada. The incident on February 20, led by Lieutenant Colonel López Ordaz, involved 11 students forced into the sea at Corona Beach for a supposed “practice.” Only four cadets survived the ordeal, highlighting the severe consequences of unchecked hazing practices.
Future Implications
These regulatory changes are expected to have a profound impact on the culture within military educational institutions. By holding officers and students accountable for their actions, the government aims to create a safer and more respectful environment for all members of the military. The tragic loss of the seven cadets serves as a somber reminder of the importance of these reforms and the ongoing need for vigilance against hazing and other harmful practices.