Despite the Threat of Cartels, Celaya, Mexico’s Police Remain Resolute – Sky Bulletin

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In late February, the unsettling sight of a deceased man surrounded by bullet casings in a store parking lot greeted journalists in Celaya, a city in the north-central region of Mexico, notorious for its high homicide rates due to intense cartel activity. This particular victim was a policeman ambushed while driving his family. Though he managed to take down one of his assailants, he, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries.

The attack is indicative of a larger, grimmer trend seen in Guanajuato state, where the local police are perishing at alarming rates—34 officers in the last three years in a city of half a million. The staggering figure surpasses the number of cops killed across the entirety of the United States last year.

With the Mexican presidential election on the horizon, Celaya’s refusal to adopt President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s cartel pacification strategy, which includes not directly confronting cartels and considering peace pacts, is noteworthy. Instead, Celaya’s authorities have chosen to challenge these criminal gangs head-on, particularly the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel known for its ruthless approach.

Contrary to López Obrador’s disfavor of traditional policing methods and his proclivity for military engagement in public safety matters, Celaya has doubled down on retaining its police force, hiring experienced former federal officers to bolster its ranks. This move comes amidst broader national policies that have seen significant cutbacks in funding for police training and equipment.

Despite the president’s preference for the military-led National Guard, Celaya’s approach involves taking on gangs through proactive intelligence and investigation, a contrast to the Guard’s more passive, order-following mandate.

The police in Celaya are facing grave risks, with targeted assassinations from cartel members increasing. New recruits, often from outside the city, are living in secure barracks to avoid personal ties with local cartels that could compromise their mission.

As elections draw near, the debate over policing strategies in Mexico intensifies. Candidates are split between adopting López Obrador’s current non-confrontational methods and reinforcing local police capabilities. Meanwhile, Celaya’s police force continues its steadfast battle against cartel dominance, employing creative strategies like “the man in the tower” to gain an upper advantage and protect their officers from ambush attacks.

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FAQ Section

  1. Why is Celaya, Mexico so dangerous for police officers?
  2. Celaya has become a focal point for violent confrontations with the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, which has aggressively targeted police officers as part of its campaign to maintain power in the region.

  3. What is President López Obrador’s stance on dealing with cartels?
  4. López Obrador has been criticized for holding a non-confrontational approach towards cartels, encouraging local communities to seek peace pacts with gangs and emphasizing the use of military forces such as the National Guard over traditional policing.

  5. How does Celaya’s approach to policing differ from the President’s policy?
  6. Celaya’s approach has been more confrontational, choosing to actively resist and fight against the cartels with a police force that includes experienced former federal police officers rather than depending predominantly on the National Guard.

  7. What are the challenges faced by the police in Celaya?
  8. Celaya’s police officers face the constant threat of assassination, targeted ambushes, and the difficulty of maintaining public safety and order in an area dominated by cartel violence. Recruiting and retaining officers in such a hazardous environment is also a significant challenge.

  9. How might the upcoming Mexican presidential election affect security policy?
  10. The election could be pivotal in determining future security policies in Mexico. A shift in administration could result in either a continuation of López Obrador’s strategies or a move towards more traditional, localized policing methods, depending on the winning candidate’s platform.

Conclusion Section

In sum, Celaya, despite being Mexico’s most dangerous city for police, continues to display unwavering determination in the face of the severe threat posed by cartels. While the national government under President López Obrador has largely promoted a non-aggressive approach to cartel influence, Celaya’s law enforcement remains dedicated to direct confrontation and upholding the rule of law. As the Mexican presidential election looms, the contrast in security strategies is stark, and the outcome will undoubtedly have significant repercussions for the safety and security environment of cities like Celaya across the country.

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