The Efficacy of Military Internal Security Missions: A Look at Mexico

• In Event: Crime and Violence, Civil-Military Relations, and Democracy in Mexico

Abstract

Despite the risks, Latin American states continue to permit some military deployments in internal security operations. Why is that the case, and how well do soldiers perform in these situations? Politicians reluctantly call upon their armed forces from time to time to render security services because they believe they have no other choice. Once deployed, the military’s ability to confront threats without doing harm to innocent civilians varies according to the security scenarios they confront. When asked to do police-like work, they often blunder. But when tasked with missions that play to their strengths as a military organization, and that conform to military ontology, psychology, education and preparation, they can be quite effective. That contrast is revealed in a case study of Mexico where I analyze military police patrols vs. high value targeted operations.

Author

• David Pion-Berlin, University of California/Riverside