Más Información
To determine the quality of a democracy, it's necessary to take a look, among other things, at its public safety indicators. If the State is unable to use the force to ensure the peace of its citizens, it's failing to fulfill one of its core obligations. In that case, it would be convenient to put into perspective the context, institutions and the key players who haven't been able to contain the situation.
Mexico is a violent country. According to the most recent index on the matter, taken by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) , 2016 is the year with more homicides under the current federal administration – with a total of 23 thousand 953. Yet according to expert estimations, this year is expected to be the most violent ever since 2011 – under the administration of Felipe Calderón.
What's certain is that this situation of violence is nothing new, according to the INEGI. Safety indicators show year after year that we have remained along the same margins of violence, and this should give us pause to reflect at several levels. First of all, on the factors which spark violence in the different regions of the country. Only then should the discussion focus on the legal and administrative capabilities of our institutions and how to address the many currents of this situation.
Behind the criminal activities and thousands of homicides throughout the country, there are authorities who have either ignored or been accomplices to criminals. Similarly, illegal and multimillionaire industries have taken advantage of all the resources available to them to remain on the market. Although the most damaging situation is the profound disintegration which transcends social contract.
The challenge is not only institutional but rather, cultural. In last few weeks, the political debate regarding the new Criminal Justice System has focused on its role as a source of crime in our country. However, this is an easy way out and a politically effective reason on the face of evidence that violence at a national level cannot be a recent phenomenon.
The Mexican Government of the 21st century is determined on designing and implementing institutional measures to contain violence and delinquency . It's a commendable effort that nevertheless continues without offering visible results, as we have proved before. This effort is missing the much-needed social reconstruction of a common social contract that enables a life under democracy.
If the profound disintegration of communities isn't dealt with from the roots by the public authorities, hand-in-hand with an organized civil society, any work related to it will be left incomplete, and society will continue to suffer ongoing violence.
am
