More than two years after the federal government ramped up military deployments in Michoacán, one of Mexico’s most violent states, the results remain mixed at best. Despite the presence of over 12,000 military personnel and the construction or expansion of 27 military facilities since 2021, cartel-related violence continues to grip large parts of the state.
The strategy, centered on deterrence and patrols by the Mexican Army and National Guard, was intended to stabilize regions plagued by organized crime. Yet in areas such as Tierra Caliente and parts of the Sierra-Costa region, criminal groups still exert de facto control. Extortion schemes targeting avocado growers and other agricultural producers persist, while road blockades and forced displacements remain common.
Federal authorities argue that the military presence has helped prevent further deterioration in some high-risk zones. Some local officials have echoed this view, citing faster response times and a visible deterrent effect. However, many residents report little change in daily security conditions. In some municipalities, criminal groups continue to operate openly, suggesting that deterrence alone has not been sufficient.
Deterrence without judicial follow-through has left criminal control largely intact in parts of Michoacán.
Critics point to a lack of coordination between federal forces and local law enforcement as a key weakness. While soldiers and National Guard units conduct patrols, arrests are infrequent and often lack judicial follow-through. The National Guard, created in 2019 to replace the disbanded Federal Police, remains under military command and has struggled to build trust with local communities or develop intelligence-led operations.
Michoacán’s strategic importance for drug trafficking routes and its lucrative agricultural sector make it a focal point for competition among criminal organizations. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) remains active in the region, alongside local groups such as Los Viagras. These rivalries fuel ongoing violence that military deployments alone have not quelled.
The situation in Michoacán reflects broader structural challenges in Mexico’s security policy. Weak local institutions, limited investigative capacity, and a reliance on military force over civilian policing have constrained progress. While short-term stabilization may be achievable in isolated areas, long-term improvements are likely to require deeper institutional reforms and more effective coordination across levels of government.
