A failed state in Mexico

The situation in Michoacán, in western Mexico, is a clear example of a failed state. Mexicans are not the only ones who worry about it. This week, the U.S. government said it was “extremely concerned” with events in Michoacán, where self-defense groups armed themselves against cartels. It also offered help if the Mexican federal government asks.

This raises concern. The U.S. cannot act as a firefighter, older brother or police officer to resolve a situation that the Mexican government is responsible for.

Strategies and plans to end the violence, at the state and federal level, have failed.

Just the opposite: They have shown a great power vacuum. The governor of the state since February 2012, Fausto Vallejo of the PRI, was unable to pacify the zone. And given the government’s inaction or failed strategies, self-defense groups took up arms.

At the federal level, the national security strategy implemented last April has not worked either. Peña Nieto gave powers to the Secretary of the Interior and its head, Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong. He put Osorio Chong in charge of domestic policy, national security and coordination of all cabinet secretaries.

After nine months of coordination among departments, the mission was not accomplished and the interior secretary failed to pacify the area.

Now the Mexican government, trying to put out the fire, named Alfredo Castillo Cervantes as head of the Commission for Security and Comprehensive Development of Michoacán. As Castillo himself said, having a federal government representative permanently present to coordinate action in Michoacán is what it is all about.

The Peña Nieto administration must respond to domestic and international pressure. But above all, it must answer to its citizens, who cannot live in a failed state—even if people say those do not exist in Mexico.