President Claudia Sheinbaum said intentional homicides in Mexico fell 49% [1] between September 2024 and May 2026.
The decline represents a significant shift in the country's security landscape as the government attempts to curb systemic violence through non-military means.
According to the administration, the reduction in homicides dolosos occurred over a 20-month period [1]. Sheinbaum said the results are a direct outcome of a security strategy that prioritizes social programs, and attention to young people.
The government focused its efforts on territorial work within zones experiencing high criminal incidence. This approach aims to address the root causes of violence by integrating community support with security oversight, a departure from previous strategies that relied more heavily on force.
By targeting youth and implementing social interventions, the administration seeks to prevent recruitment into organized crime. The reported 49% [1] decrease suggests that these preventive measures are yielding measurable results across the nation.
Sheinbaum said the strategy remains centered on the combination of territorial presence and social investment to maintain the downward trend in violence.
“Homicides dolosos fell 49% over the past 20 months”
This shift toward a 'social-first' security model indicates a strategic move by the Sheinbaum administration to prioritize prevention over reaction. If these figures are sustained, it suggests that addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities in high-crime territories may be more effective at reducing homicide rates than traditional militarized policing.
