Security and economic developments in Mexico and Panama

In Aguascalientes, Mexico, Governor Tere Jiménez reported that the ‘Blindaje Aguascalientes’ strategy has reduced crime by more than 29 percent and improved security perception by over 31 percent. The administration also noted a 211 percent increase in foreign direct investment between early 2025 and 2026, totaling over 66,400 million pesos from 86 new investments.

In Panama, Public Security Minister Frank Alexis Ábrego announced a reduction in identified gangs from 180 to 121. This decline is attributed to ‘Plan Firmeza’ operations against organized crime, with the stated objective of reaching zero gangs through continued operations and community cooperation.

Broader security trends in Mexico show mixed outcomes. Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos reported that September 2026 saw the lowest incidence of intentional homicides since March 2016. From January to September 2026, the state recorded a 27 percent reduction in homicides compared to the same period in 2025, with the municipality of Juárez seeing a 44 percent drop. Authorities attributed these results to the Centinela security model and coordination involving the National Guard and the Secretariat of National Defense.

However, national judicial challenges persist. INEGI data indicates that in 2025, prosecutor offices faced a 10.4 percent increase in pending criminal proceedings and a 3.5 percent decrease in new investigation files. Mexico City has seen fraud emerge as a leading crime, accounting for over 15,000 of the 18,000 reported fraud cases nationwide. Additionally, the Ayotzinapa case remains a point of contention, as families demand the release of 853 military intelligence files they claim are essential to the investigation.

In Honduras, the municipality of Comayagua has reached 37 consecutive days without homicides following reinforced police operations.