Insecurity and challenges on Mexican land borders

Mexico's land borders, with a total length of 4,301 kilometers, represent both a challenge and an opportunity for the country. Insecurity at the borders, particularly those separating Mexico from the United States, has been a recurring issue due to the complexity of factors such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, irregular migration and the presence of criminal groups. So much so that the The UN-affiliated International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently called the border between Mexico and its northern neighbor " the most dangerous land migration route in the world ."

Insecurity on the borders of Mexico and the United States

Insecurity in Mexico is worsening at land borders

Mexico shares two significant land borders: to the north with the United States, the longest, 3,145 kilometers; and to the south with Guatemala and Belize, a shorter but equally complex border, with 1,156 kilometers in total. These two areas represent very different dynamics, but both are marked by high levels of insecurity.

- Northern border (Mexico-US) : This region has historically been the epicenter of criminal activities linked to drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. According to a 2024 report by the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL), states such as Baja California, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas have the highest rates of homicides related to organized crime, fueled in large part by disputes between cartels seeking to control trafficking routes to the United States.

- Southern border (Mexico-Guatemala and Belize ): Although less known, this area has increased its relevance in recent years, especially in relation to migration. The National Migration Institute (INM) has reported a 42% increase in detentions of undocumented migrants on the southern border during 2023, a phenomenon that often goes hand in hand with forced recruitment by criminal groups. Human trafficking and drug trafficking are also critical problems in this region.

Factors fueling insecurity on Mexico's borders

1. Cartels and territorial control: Various criminal groups are fighting for control of trafficking routes in both the north and south. On the northern border, the Sinaloa, Northeast and Jalisco Nueva Generación cartels have engaged in bloody battles that, according to the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), have increased the levels of violence in border states by 15% between 2023 and 2024.

2. Migratory flow and vulnerability: Mexico's southern border has been the scene of an unprecedented growth in the migratory flow from Central America. Migrants are frequently victims of kidnapping, extortion and exploitation by criminal networks. IOM estimated that in 2023, more than 21,000 people were victims of crimes during their transit through Mexico.

3. Weapons and smuggling: The ease with which illegal weapons enter Mexico from the United States has exacerbated violence in border areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that, between 2022 and 2023, more than 70% of the weapons seized in Mexico came from the United States, which has fueled conflicts between criminal groups.

4. Corruption and lack of infrastructure: Corruption in local authorities remains one of the factors that contribute most to the perpetuation of insecurity in these areas. In addition, the lack of infrastructure and resources on the southern border makes surveillance and control work difficult, leaving large areas unsupervised.

Current challenges and necessary measures to combat insecurity on Mexico's land borders

- Strengthening customs and checkpoints: On the northern border, it is essential to increase investment in technology and trained personnel to improve customs surveillance. In 2023, only 30% of vehicles crossing the main checkpoints in Baja California and Tamaulipas were inspected, which represents a great opportunity for arms and drug smuggling.

- International cooperation: Collaboration between Mexico and the United States is key, but cooperation with Central American countries also needs to be strengthened to address the structural causes of human and drug trafficking. An example of this collaboration is the "Comprehensive Development Plan ," which seeks to foster economic development in Central America to reduce forced migration.

- Migrant support programs: It is imperative to develop more humanitarian assistance and protection programs for migrants, who are often at the mercy of criminal networks. It is also crucial to implement policies that strengthen the fight against human trafficking, which includes the training of specialized security forces.

Mexico's land borders face multiple security challenges, from drug and arms trafficking to the vulnerability of migrants.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive strategy that combines technology, international cooperation and the strengthening of security institutions. Insecurity in Mexico, particularly on its borders, is a multifaceted problem that requires a coordinated and well-structured response to guarantee national and regional security.