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Mexico security: Study claims organized crime controls 30% of territory
An independent analysis titled '¿Quién controla México?' reports that organized crime exerts effective control or 'governance' over approximately 30% of Mexican territory. The study further indicates that 47% of the country is in a state of shared or disputed control between criminal organizations and state authorities, leaving only 23% of the territory under the clear predominance of state institutions.
Criminal dominance is measured not only by violence but by the ability of groups to impose extortion fees, control markets, establish checkpoints, and influence local officials. States such as Colima, Sinaloa, and Guerrero are identified as having high criminal predominance, while others like Coahuila and Nayarit are noted for state institutional control.
In response to these findings, the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, rejected the report's validity, stating the federal government lacks the methodology and evidence to recognize the data as official. Meanwhile, PAN leader Jorge Romero Herrera characterized the loss of territorial control as a direct threat to Mexican democracy, calling for strengthened institutional presence and intelligence-based security strategies.
Separately, a study by Causa en Común highlighted systemic deficiencies in Chihuahua, noting that only 8% of state police participated in precision shooting training in 2024 and reporting significant weaknesses within the state's prison system.
Entities
Andrés Manuel López Obrador · Jorge Romero · Jorge Romero Herrera · Mexico · PAN · Rosa Icela Rodríguez · Secretaría de Gobernación · Tribunal Colegiado de Circuito
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The PAN leader warned that criminal territorial control constitutes a direct threat to democracy. b15.com.mx · lucesdelsiglo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Secretary of the Interior rejected the validity of the report, stating the government lacks sufficient evidence to consider its data official. www.elbuentono.com.mx · eldiariodechihuahua.mx
- [● 4 SOURCES] An independent analysis claims organized crime exerts effective control over approximately 30% of Mexican territory. indicepolitico.com · www.marquesina.mx · fuentesfidedignas.com.mx · lucesdelsiglo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A study by Causa en Común revealed significant deficiencies in the Chihuahua state police and prison system. crprensa.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The study indicates 47% of the territory is under shared or disputed control between authorities and criminal groups. indicepolitico.com · www.marquesina.mx · fuentesfidedignas.com.mx · lucesdelsiglo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Only 23% of the territory is identified as having a clear predominance of state institutions. indicepolitico.com · www.marquesina.mx · fuentesfidedignas.com.mx · lucesdelsiglo.com