Government touts homicide reduction with graphics, contrasts with Calderón and Peña Nieto eras

Mexico's government has highlighted a decrease in intentional homicides, presenting graphics that illustrate a significant reduction during the current administration. Marcela Figueroa, Executive Secretary of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), shared data comparing the daily average of intentional homicides across the last four presidential terms: Felipe Calderón (2006-2012), Enrique Peña Nieto (2012-2018), Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024), and the current government led by President Claudia Sheinbaum.

According to graphics presented during President Sheinbaum's morning press conference, the administration of Felipe Calderón saw a 148% increase in intentional homicides. This period coincided with the "war on drugs," a strategy involving the deployment of armed forces against drug cartels, which the report suggests led to a rise in crime.

During Enrique Peña Nieto's term, homicides continued to rise, with a 42% increase between 2012 and 2018. In contrast, Figueroa stated that the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024) managed to "reverse this trend," reporting a 9% decrease in intentional homicides. The current government, under President Claudia Sheinbaum, reports a further reduction of 47% in intentional homicides in 2026 compared to 2024 figures, dropping from 91.7 to 48.6 daily cases.

The presented data, compiled from various national statistics agencies and state prosecutor's offices, also shows yearly figures. Calderón's term saw its highest daily average in 2011 with 74.6 cases, while Peña Nieto's term peaked in 2018 with 100.5 daily cases. The government emphasizes these figures to showcase a positive shift in public security.