Crime Down in Mexico

The Mexican government has released statistics showing an across-the-board reduction in crime, particularly high-impact crime, and attributed the results to the successful application of the Security Strategy, launched in October of last year, and headed by Omar Harfuch, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico.

In the seven months of the new administration, 154 tonnes of drugs were seized and more than 20,000 people were arrested for high-impact crimes.

Homicides between September 2024 and April 2025 are down 24.9%, with 21 fewer homicides per day than in September 2024, the lowest rate since April 2016. From October 2024 to May 6, 2025, more than 10,000 firearms and almost a ton and a half of fentanyl were seized.

During Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s May 8th Mañanera del Pueblo, García Harfuch stated that since September, more than 10,000 firearms have been seized and 896 clandestine laboratories for the production of methamphetamine have been dismantled in 19 states across Mexico.

“Among these arrests are criminal organization operators, priority targets of some states that generated high levels of violence. Therefore, we are confident that these arrests will have an impact on reducing crime rates in their areas of operation, as already seen in several states across the country,” he explained.

He added that this translates into “less violence on the streets, fewer criminals disrupting family life, fewer harmful substances that endanger the health of our youth, and fewer resources for criminal organizations.”

He highlighted that in the case of Guanajuato, following the arrest of José Francisco “N,” alias “Alfa 1,” a decrease was observed in the daily homicide average, which went from 12.7 to 6.5, representing a reduction of almost 50 percent between February and April.

Among the relevant cases carried out in recent weeks are the following:

In La Paz, Baja California Sur, seven people were arrested, including Luis Marcos “N,” who served as the head of a criminal cell related to the murder of a member of the Ministerial Investigation Agency in the state.

In Acapulco, Guerrero, as part of the state’s security reinforcements, Eduardo “N” was arrested. He has an arrest warrant for aggravated extortion by means of extortion at the Acapulco Central Market.

In Celaya, Guanajuato, a search of a property was conducted, where César Moisés “N” was arrested. Firearms and various doses of drugs were seized. This individual is implicated in the April 18, 2025, attack on National Defense personnel in Apaseo el Alto, which resulted in the death of one member.

In Magdalena, Jalisco, María del Rosario “N” was arrested. She was wanted by United States authorities for trafficking in arms, drugs, and people, money laundering, and distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl.

The secretary added that, since February 5, Operation Northern Border has led to more than 3,000 arrests, 2,627 firearms, more than 400,000 cartridges, and 13,000 magazines. More than 30 tons of drugs were also seized, including 163 kilos and more than 1,135,000 fentanyl pills.

Among the actions carried out as part of this operation are the seizure of nearly 500 kilos of methamphetamine in Chihuahua, the arrest of Mario Humberto “N,” alias “Escorpión 42,” in Nuevo León, and other operators of criminal cells of the Pacific Cartel.

Secretary García Harfuch acknowledged the invaluable work of members of the Ministry of National Defense (Defense), the Ministry of the Navy (Semar), the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), as well as local police and prosecutors’ offices, “who have always responded with honor, courage, loyalty, and professionalism to protect our nation,” he said.

Furthermore, while providing a report on the work of judges, he specified that 193 decisions by judicial bodies were identified that favored or attempted to benefit alleged criminals with transfers, releases, and discharges, which led to 163 releases due to changes in precautionary measures and two permanent releases, “which means more than 100 criminals returned to the streets. In addition, there were 27 transfers of inmates to other penitentiary centers without complying with the procedural formalities. This was despite the fact that the Ministry’s Prevention and Social Reintegration Department itself deemed the transfers unviable,” he stated.

He highlighted that, from October 2024 to April 2025, 26 people belonging to different criminal organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel, Golfo Jalisco, Familia Michoacana, Zetas and Los Rojos, etc., were released. Among the relevant cases, he explained that Miguel Ángel “N”, alias “Z-40” and Oscar “N”, alias “Z-42”, both operators of Los Zetas, who were wanted by United States authorities, their extradition processes were postponed by judges on 79 and 54 occasions, respectively.

In her participation, the head of the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP) of the SSPC, Marcela Figueroa Franco, mentioned that, from 2024 to April 2025, there is a sustained downward trend in the crime of intentional homicide and that, since the beginning of the current administration, the month of April closed with a monthly average of 65.3 daily homicides, which represents a reduction of almost 25 percent in seven months with 21 fewer homicides than in September 2024. In addition, April 2025 is the April with the lowest daily average since 2016.

He added that a comparison of the daily average of high-impact crimes nationwide between October 2024 and April 2025 showed a 19.25 percent reduction.

Comparing April 2024 with April 2025, femicide decreased by 26.6 percent, intentional injuries from firearms decreased by 9.2 percent, kidnapping by 38.7 percent, extortion by 10.4 percent, and violent robbery of passersby by 21.4 percent, among others.

With these actions, the institutions of the Security Cabinet reaffirm their commitment to working together to continue advancing peacebuilding in our country.

Daily Average of High Impact Crimes [April 2025 vs April 2025]