Mexico's approach to combating organized crime appears to be shifting under President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration, moving away from the "hugs, not bullets" strategy of her predecessor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). AMLO's policy focused on avoiding engaging directly with drug cartels, emphasizing social programs aimed at reducing recruitment into criminal organizations.
However, within a month of taking office, Sheinbaum's administration has already had several confrontations that suggest a greater willingness to use military force and the National Guard. The shift comes at a time when cartels have expanded their activities, including involvement in human smuggling and the recruitment of foreign fighters and minors.
