Veracruz police strike over lack of ammo, poor conditions

Police officers in Córdoba, Veracruz, have halted their duties to protest what they describe as a series of operational irregularities. Their grievances include a lack of ammunition, unpaid benefits like vacation bonuses, and insufficient uniforms, all occurring in a region grappling with high levels of insecurity.

The officers gathered at their headquarters to voice their demands, emphasizing the critical shortage of bullets for personnel responding to calls in both the municipal center and rural communities. They are seeking dialogue with authorities to ensure their demands are met.

This protest underscores the broader issue of precarious working conditions for police in Mexico, particularly at the municipal level. Veracruz has previously ranked among the states with the highest number of police officers killed in the line of duty, with 24 such deaths recorded in 2025, according to the civil organization Causa en Común. The organization notes that disparate and often inadequate labor conditions, stemming from deficient regulation and funding problems, plague police forces nationwide.