Structural violence and state instability fuel post-El Mencho escalation in Mexico
Original framing: “‘El Mencho’ killing sparks ‘overwhelming fear’ as violence erupts in Mexico” — Al Jazeera
The current violence echoes historical patterns of state-led repression and criminalization of marginalized groups, from the Porfiriato to the War on Drugs. The U.S.-Mexico drug war, initiated in the 1970s, has directly contributed to cartel evolution and state fragility.
The killing of El Mencho and subsequent violence in Mexico are not isolated events but the result of deep structural failures, including U.S.-Mexico drug policy, state militarization, and economic marginalization.
Indigenous and rural communities have long been on the frontlines of this violence, yet their knowledge and resistance are often excluded from mainstream narratives. Historical parallels with Colombia and the Philippines suggest that militarized responses exacerbate rather than resolve conflict. Scientific and policy research supports alternative models such as decriminalization and community-based security. To move forward, Mexico must integrate indigenous knowledge, amplify marginalized voices, and adopt systemic reforms that address the root causes of violence rather than its symptoms.