A security drill carried out this Monday in the main highway accesses of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area not only tested the response capacity of the authorities, but also revived fear among residents who still remember the day of violence recorded last February.

The exercise, coordinated by military elements and state authorities of Jalisco, included the mobilization of more than 600 agents from various corporations at seven strategic entry points to the city.

The objective was to measure reaction times and strengthen institutional coordination in a scenario of road blockades and other high-impact events, according to the weekly Proceso.

However, for residents of neighborhoods near the intervened areas, the presence of patrols, military vehicles and armed personnel generated uncertainty and recalled the violent events that occurred months ago, after the death of “El Mencho”, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

“Yes, it's scary because we've already experienced it,” a resident of San Isidro, one of the areas where the deployment caused concern among the population, told La Silla Rota.

Neighbors reported that when they observed the movement of the security forces they thought it was a real emergency and not a preventive exercise.

Although the authorities informed in advance about the drill and asked citizens to remain calm and only listen to official channels, some people indicated that the experience was enough to revive the anxiety caused by the drug blockades registered in February.

According to the Government of Jalisco, this type of exercises seeks to evaluate the coordination between the different corporations, identify areas of improvement in the action protocols and prepare a more efficient response to possible contingencies.

The authorities compared this practice with civil protection drills carried out in the event of earthquakes or fires, pointing out that preparation is essential to face risk situations. They also reported that the exercise will continue with new evaluations to improve response times.

Despite this, the drill made it clear that, in addition to the operational aspect, a deep emotional imprint persists among the population, for whom the mobilization of security forces continues to be a reminder of recent episodes of violence.