The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, defended this Tuesday the role of the National Guard (GN) when commemorating the seventh anniversary of the corporation, which she described as one of the most important institutional transformations in the country and a key component of her administration's security strategy.

During the ceremony held at Military Camp 37-C, in Huehuetoca, State of Mexico (Central of the country), the president stated that the creation of the National Guard in 2019 represented a “feat” due to the growth achieved in a few years and maintained that the work of its members has contributed to the 46% reduction in intentional homicides recorded by the federal government.

Before elements of the Armed Forces and commanders of the corporation, Sheinbaum highlighted that the National Guard went from being a security project to being consolidated as an institution made up of more than 125,000 troops, distributed in 53 regional coordinations and supported by 590 barracks throughout the national territory.

The president assured that the strengthening of the corporation is part of a strategy that also includes attention to the causes of violence, the strengthening of intelligence work and greater coordination between the institutions in charge of public security.

National Guard boasts growth and operational results

During the commemorative event, the commander of the National Guard, Guillermo Briseño Lobera, presented a balance of the actions carried out by the institution since its creation. He reported that the corporation has arrested more than 45,000 people related to criminal activities, seized around 23,000 firearms and seized more than 213 tons of drugs.

He also noted that the operations made it possible to dismantle more than 2,000 clandestine laboratories used for the manufacture of narcotics, while the government's goal is to expand the operational force to reach 170,000 elements before the current administration ends.

For his part, the Secretary of National Defense, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, highlighted that, according to the National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), seven out of ten Mexicans express confidence in the National Guard, the highest level recorded among the country's security institutions.

They recognize elements for operations, integrity and service

As part of the ceremony, the president presented decorations to members of the National Guard for outstanding actions in security operations, professional performance and acts of integrity. Among the recognitions were elements who participated in the response to an armed attack that occurred in April in the archaeological zone of Teotihuacan, as well as personnel involved in important drug seizures and in the dismantling of organized crime operation centers.

Members were also distinguished for their academic and sporting performance and for exemplary conduct within the institution. Among them, Second Sergeant José Augusto Hernández Páez stood out, who was recognized after rejecting a bribe of 25,000 pesos and denouncing attempted corruption during the performance of his duties.

In his final message, Sheinbaum affirmed that the National Guard has become one of the pillars of the federal government's security policy and maintained that its mission will continue to be to protect the population, preserve peace and strengthen citizen trust through service with discipline, honesty and respect for human rights.