Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Who is Mexico’s Security Minister and why does he matter?

It’s hard to think of Mexico in 2025 without at least a passing thought about the country’s precarious security situation. The man in charge of solving this problem is Omar García Harfuch, the current Security Minister.

García is charged with fighting back against cartel violence that has rocked areas of the country and this latest appointment is just another step in the career of a man who has dedicated his life and career to making Mexico a safer place to live.

Who is Omar García Harfuch, Mexico's Security Minister?

Critically, however, García’s work affects more than just what goes on inside Mexico, particularly given U.S. President Donald Trump’s emphasis on issues such as fentanyl, migration, and border security.

Before stepping into his current role, he served as the Chief of Police in Mexico City, where he gained attention for reducing homicide rates by almost 50%, as well as surviving an audacious assassination attempt by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He has also received training from the FBI and DEA, giving him a deep understanding of how operations function on both sides of the border.

After President Trump designated Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, García Harfuch intensified extraditions, sending 29 cartel leaders to face justice in the United States and relieving growing diplomatic tension between the two nations.

Despite these successes, García is not without his critics at home, as detractors question Mexico’s sovereignty, or whether he is really doing enough to fight cartel violence in Mexico.

María Meléndez asks what the coming years will look like for Mexico, the United States and bilateral security in the latest installment of our “Who’s Who” explainer series.

Mexico News Daily

3 COMMENTS

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Mark Carney

Canadian PM says Mexico visit aims to ‘reinforce North American prosperity’

3
Mark Carney's visit to Mexico City will "elevate and broaden the bilateral relationship, with a focus on security, infrastructure, investment, energy and trade," according to a statement from the prime minister's office.
Reporters in the press pool raise their hands at President Sheinbaum's morning press conference

Mexicans should ‘be careful’ celebrating Independence Day in the US, Sheinbaum says: Friday’s mañanera recapped

9
The president also confirmed an upcoming visit from Canada's prime minister and rejected a report on CIA operations in Mexico.
President Sheinbaum at the podium of her daily press conference

A tragic accident in CDMX, the Kirk assassination and tariffs: Thursday’s mañanera recapped

10
The president discussed a tragic explosion in Mexico City, US political violence, protectionism and Mexican Independence Day at her Thursday presser.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity