As cartel violence grows in Mexico, the country’s president may be rethinking the continuation of her predecessor’s policy dubbed “Hugs, not bullets.” President Claudia Sheinbaum has worked hard to avoid using the term “Hugs, not bullets,” as she appears to shift her strategy in combatting drug cartels.
The “hugs” she claims are for impoverished young people and to keep them from being recruited by cartels.
“Clearly, it isn’t a question of hugs for criminals, nobody ever said that,” Sheinbaum said.
A rash of recent shootouts between the Mexican military and drug cartels suggest Sheinbaum may be abandoning the no bullets approach. Gun battles between Mexican security forces have reportedly killed suspected cartel members. They’ve also led to the deaths of bystanders caught in the crossfire.
The deaths have led to questions over the use of Mexican soldiers, who reportedly shoot rather than investigate.
The change in approach by Sheinbaum comes as gang violence continue to rise in Mexico.
Police in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero reportedly found 11 bodies, including two minors, on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The bodies were dumped along the highway, in what police are investigating as homicides.
The bodies were discovered in the same state where a Mexican mayor was reportedly beheaded by cartel members weeks ago.
