Mexico's army takes control of ports and hotels

In Mexico, under the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the military has increasingly taken on roles traditionally held by civilian institutions, leading to a significant transformation in the country's governance. Beginning in 2006, with the onset of a 'war on drugs,' the army's involvement in public security escalated, marking the emergence of military participation in civil administration. López Obrador, instead of returning the military to its traditional roles, further integrated it into public affairs, dismantling the federal police and establishing a national guard mainly composed of military personnel. The López Obrador administration's reliance on the military has extended to infrastructure development. The army has been entrusted with various significant projects, including the construction of airports and luxury hotels, as well as the operation of customs in key trade areas. This shift reflects an ongoing trend where military contributions are seen as means to expedite projects with low transparency. The Mayan Train, a flagship infrastructure project, exemplifies this focus on fast-track execution that has raised concerns over the military's expanding influence in economic and civil sectors. As the military's role has grown, López Obrador's successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, has continued the trend by endorsing the military's involvement while acknowledging the importance of rebuilding civilian policing capacities. She promotes the idea that the military remains accountable to the president, yet this perspective overlooks the historical context of military engagements in civil matters. Critics argue that this path risks entrenching military power in government functions and undermining democratic institutions, raising alarm over potential human rights violations. Experts caution that Mexico's shift towards increased military presence in public life diminishes the operational capacity of civil institutions and consolidates government reliance on the armed forces. Recent constitutional changes have further cemented this trajectory, leading to fears that reversing the trend towards militarization of governance may be increasingly difficult. The implications of this growing militarization on democracy and human rights continue to be a point of contention among scholars and commentators, with many urging that the focus should return to strengthening civilian control over public security and administration.