Adapting, transforming, and modernizing under fire
Subtitle: the Mexican military, 2006-11
By: Inigo Guevara Moyano
Contributors: Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute
Series: Letort paper -- [no. 50]; Letort papers -- no. 50.
Publisher: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Carlisle, PA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 41
ISBN-13: 9781584875055
Subjects: Armed Forces; Reorganization; Law enforcement; Civil defense
Description: Mexico's armed forces are in the midst of a transformation to better perform in an ongoing war against organized crime. Their role and visibility have escalated considerably since President Felipe Calderon assumed office in December of 2006. Although the fight against organized crime is clearly a law enforcement matter, the absence of effective and accountable police forces has meant that the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been used as supplementary forces to defend the civilian population and enforce the rule of law. While the federal government has striven to stand up a capable police force in order to relieve and eventually replace the military, that possibility is still distant. Despite considerable attention to and investment in Mexico's law enforcement sector during the past 5 years, the armed forces continue to be the only Mexican institutions with the capabilities to conduct nationwide operations and the main implementers of the government's security policy. This paper analyzes how the counterdrug role has influenced, and in some cases directed, its modernization. It also addresses the main challenges the counterdrug role is associated with, including human rights concerns, and proposes some options for its future.
Notes: "September 2011."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-41).

Also available online in PDF format from Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) web site. Adobe Acrobat Reader required.
Table of contents: title: Summary; title: The Mexican defense structure : roles and missions; title: Defense budgeting and spending; title: Interservice rivalries and the competition for resources; title: Evolution of the Army; title: Adapting the land forces; title: The human rights component : complaints vs. violations; title: A wake up call; title: The need for additional manpower; title: Tackling desertion; title: Conscription not a viable option; title: The combat inventory; title: Anti-narco influence on procurement; title: The Mexican Air Force command; title: Intensifying the counterdrug role; title: Air defense needs neglected; title: The Naval Ministry; title: Command and territorial reorganization; title: The green water fleet; title: Building a Coast Guard network; title: Marine Corps revival; title: Transformation of naval aviation requirements; title: Naval procurement, assistance, and cooperation; title: Conclusion.