Mexican Deputies Approve National Guard Militarization Amid Fierce Opposition Debate

MEXICO CITY – The Mexican Chamber of Deputies has approved a controversial reform that transfers the operational and administrative control of the National Guard to the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), effectively militarizing the civilian security force. The measure, backed by the ruling Morena party and its allies, passed with 349 votes in favor and 132 against. The reform grants the National Guard new powers, including the ability to conduct covert operations, intelligence gathering, and real-time cell phone tracking. It also allows members of the military to compete for public office at all three levels of government. Opposition lawmakers vehemently criticized the move. Paulina Rubio, a deputy from the PAN party, described the reform as a "recipe for authoritarianism," accusing the government of promoting militarization, censorship, and espionage. She symbolically presented a small cake, contrasting it with the "militarization of the country" and the "poisoning of democracy." Margarita Zavala, also a PAN deputy, warned that the reform would leave the military in "more vulnerable conditions" by placing them on the front lines against criminal and corrupt forces. Conversely, Lilia Aguilar, a deputy from the PT party (an ally of Morena), asserted that the changes were aimed at "dismantling the narco-government" established by previous administrations. The Supreme Court of Justice had previously declared the National Guard's intelligence operations unconstitutional. However, the ruling party proceeded with the reform, sparking further debate about the balance of power and civil liberties in Mexico. Adding to the session's unusual nature, Morena deputies sang "Las Mañanitas" to the president, an act that drew accusations of "ridiculousness" from the opposition, who argued it devalued the legislative body.