Mexico’s National Security Paradoxes and Threats in a Geopolitical Context

This article examines Mexico’s national security paradoxes and threats in a geopolitical context from a politico‐historical perspective into a contemporary setting. It argues that, despite Mexico’s nascent democratic transition, none of the various elite groups in power have been able to conceive a broad, democratic security doctrine. On the contrary, realpolitik and regime security form the tradition and true nature of the national security permeating the political system. There are serious doubts that Mexico’s next president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, will change this historical legacy. Despite the widespread desire for change, corruption and impunity are more prevalent than ever, setting the stage for conflict with the United States—the world’s biggest drug consumer and the primary vendor of weaponry to Mexico’s criminal organizations. This situation is exacerbated by Mexico’s interdependence and shared geopolitics with its northern neighbor. The combination of these internal and external factors places Mexico’s future in question.