Mexico Reports Record 53% Drop in Homicides Under Sheinbaum's National Security Strategy

In the context of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s second State of the Union, the Security Cabinet presented the monthly report on the progress of the National Security Strategy corresponding to the month of August. This took place on Tuesday during President Sheinbaum’s morning press conference.

Marcela Figueroa Franco, head of the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, highlighted a 53% decrease between September 2024—when there was an average of 86.9 daily intentional homicides recorded—and August 2026, which closed with an average of 40.8 daily  intentional homicides, marking the lowest figure of this timeframe. She noted that the decrease is equivalent to 46 fewer intentional homicides per day. 

Furthermore, Figueroa Franco highlighted that intentional homicides in August 2026 hit their lowest daily average for that month since 2015, when  54 daily cases were registered. 

Additionally, she reported that the intentional homicide rate currently stands at 12.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, representing a 49% decrease. She noted that in comparison, under the right-wing government of former President Felipe Calderón, the homicide rate climbed 127%, rose another 32% under Enrique Peña Nieto to hit a high of 29.1, and ultimately fell by 13% during the term of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

The head of the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security also noted that seven states accounted 49.3% of all the homicides in the country: Guanajuato (8.5%), Baja California (8.4%), Chihuahua (8.0%), Sinaloa (7.5%), Estado de México (6.1%), Guerrero (5.6%), and Morelos (5.3%). In contrast, she noted that comparing the first 8 months of 2025 to the same timeframe in 2026, 30 states experienced a drop in their daily average of intentional homicide, with 6 states standing out in particular: San Luis Potosí -80%, Nayarit -65.3%, Quintana Roo nearly -60%, Baja California -53.8%, Zacatecas -51.3%, and Nuevo León -51.1%.

The daily average of high-impact crimes by month from September 2024 to August 2026 sustained a downward trend, dropping from an average of 636.6 to 391—a 39% reduction. Femicide decreased by 5.2%, intentional injuries caused by firearms fell by 11.2%, kidnappings dropped by 26.3%, extortion decreased by 2.8%, daily vehicle thefts fell by 54%, and total violent robberies dropped 16.3%, concluded Figueroa Franco. 

Meanwhile, Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, highlighted that between October 1, 2024, and August 31, 2026, authorities arrested more than 67,200 individuals linked to high-impact crimes, neutralizing key figures across multiple criminal syndicates. The ongoing crackdown has prioritized high-level bosses, regional coordinators, and financial operatives—specifically targeting organizations driving extreme violence, including cartels and gangs tied to systemic homicides, extortions, kidnappings, and intimidation campaigns.

Additionally, during this period, 34,353 firearms were seized, with 80% originating in the U.S., 61% of which are long guns. A significant proportion was recovered in Sinaloa, Sonora, and Baja California, García Harfuch noted. Furthermore, he highlighted that in collaboration with the U.S., the Mexican government handed over 92 of the country’s most dangerous criminals.

Drug Seizure Figures 

Maritime operations since the start of President Sheinbaum's administration have resulted in the seizure of 88 tons of cocaine, headlined by the Mexican Navy's largest-ever maritime drug bust—yielding over 8 tons off the coast of Michoacán. 

Meanwhile, on land, 534 tons of drugs have been seized, primarily by the Secretariat of National Defense, alongside more than two tons of other substances and 9.5 million fentanyl pills. 

Combating methamphetamine production remains a core priority, with the Army and Navy dismantling 2,700 clandestine labs and staging areas across 24 states over the past two years, resulting in the seizure of more than 3 million liters and 900 tons of chemical precursors, highlighted García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection. 

Operation Enjambre: Targeting Corrupt Officials Tied to Organized Crime

García Harfuch also pointed to the success of Operation Enjambre, an interinstitutional strategy that has resulted in the detention of 111 government officials, among them multiple mayors. Notable recent examples include Isaac "N," mayor of Esperanza, Puebla, and Said "N," municipal president of Tepeyahualco, both of whom face accusations connecting them to cargo heists, armed carjackings, narcotics offenses, extortion, and rapid abduction schemes.

Image: Gobierno de México