PhD specialized on Security and policy on the drug trafficking combat in Mexico. Expert in strategies for crime and violence prevention in Mexico. Lead researcher with numerous publications focused in citizen security, police reforms with politically- sensitive awareness (Mexico). In-depth knowledge of bilateral relations US-Mexico citizen security policies, conducting several research projects in collaboration with US universities as a guest researcher. He has work experience as a political advisor and auditor, project management in academic research projects, and public policy strategic projects.
The present paper analyzes, from the perspective of desecuritization theory, the manner in which Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) changed the policy of the Mexican government for tackling drug trafficking in the country from a military to a social approach. The aim is to establish whether this strategy has been successful in comparison with the open war waged against the drug cartels over the twelve years preceding the AMLO administration. Given that this desecuritization strategy resulted from political decision-making rather than social pressure, the analysis presented here focuses on the President’s position and the actions he has taken.
