In a harrowing testament to the escalating violence in central and southwestern Mexico, a single day witnessed a spate of brutal attacks leaving at least 22 people dead, according to Al Jazeera. The victims included approximately a dozen police officers, marking one of the deadliest days in recent memory for the nation’s law enforcement.

The most severe incident occurred in the Guerrero state’s Coyuca de Benitez, where over 11 police officers fell victim to an ambush by gang violence, said AP News. This coordinated and brazen attack highlights the growing boldness of criminal organizations in the region. Another assault in the same state claimed the lives of at least 13 local police officers.

In a separate incident in Michoacan state, violence claimed the lives of four civilians and one police officer. These geographically dispersed attacks point to increasing hostility faced by law enforcement in dealing with organized crime and drug trafficking.

According to Al Jazeera, These attacks brought the number of officers killed this year to more than 340, according to non-profit group Causa en Comun. Guerrero is one of Mexico’s poorest states and one of the main sites for clashes between drug traffickers and police.

Mexico has been plagued with cartel-linked crime that has seen over 420 thousand people murdered since the government initiated their war on drugs in 2006, said CBS. The country’s murder rate has tripled to 25 per 100 thousand inhabitants, with more than 110 thousand disappearances since 1962 attributed to gangs.

Experts suggest that these violent outbreaks come from a web of factors, including poverty, corruption, and a lucrative drug trade. Mexico’s strategic location as a transit and production point for illegal drugs destined for the United States continues to exacerbate the situation, leading to territorial disputes among rival cartels and a cycle of retribution and violence.

To address this escalating crisis, experts have proposed a multifaceted approach, including strengthening law enforcement through increased training, equipment, and intelligence capabilities of police forces, and enhanced coordination between local and federal agencies to lead to more effective responses to organized crime. Enhanced funding would encompass a holistic approach, including advanced training, improved intelligence capabilities, mental health support, and community engagement strategies.

Other options to improve Mexican police force’s issues could include strengthening the judicial system to ensure swift and fair trials, and increasing measures to protect witnesses and judges from corruption and intimidation so as to disrupt criminal operations. Increasing economic development in affected regions to create jobs and opportunities would reduce the lure of criminal activities. As well as investment, focusing on education and community development could provide long-term stability. 

In relation to international relations, strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries, particularly the United States, for intelligence sharing and joint operations against drug trafficking could help curb cross-border criminal activities. Addressing Corruption by implementing robust anti-corruption measures at all levels of government would be essential to regain public trust and dismantle the links between criminals and public officials. With increased community engagement through encouraging community policing and building trust between law enforcement and local communities, better intelligence gathering and a more nuanced understanding of the local dynamics of crime could be developed.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has supported a “hugs not bullets” policy to address violent crime that focuses on addressing underlying causes of violent crime, reported Al Jazeera. These policies work to combat poverty and inequality through social programmes rather than relying on military force.

Violence has frequently spiked in the lead-up to elections. Mexico is set to hold presidential polls in June 2024 that will see former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum face off with opposition lawmaker Xochitl Galvez as its candidate.