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Country analysis

Mexico

Mexico has long been subject to widespread corruption and the effects of criminal drug-trafficking organizations (DTOs). Violence has been concentrated in the major drug-trafficking zones of Mexico’s northern, central, and Pacific states, which experience both fighting between national forces and DTOs and internal fighting between DTOs. In recent years, criminal groups have become fragmented, making the violence increasingly localized and contributing to a rise in homicide rates.

Gang-related violence in Mexico compromises people’s livelihoods and security, especially among poorer communities. Civilians living in areas under cartel control are at constant risk of extortion, harassment, and forced displacement because of violence.

Mexico is a major transit country for migrants and asylum seekers travelling towards the US. The growing number of people in mixed movements in Mexico has overwhelmed southern and northern border areas, where humanitarian needs are increasing. By January 2024, Mexico received 598,900 Venezuelans on the move.

The country is subject to climatic hazards, including floods, landslides, droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and tsunamis. Mexico is located along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where 80% of the world’s seismic activity occurs, and almost all its territory is highly exposed to earthquake risk.

(InSight Crime 06/12/2022, Expansión política 18/06/2022, CBP accessed 05/10/2022, Milenio 31/12/2022, R4V 30/01/2024)

Mexico has long been subject to widespread corruption and the effects of criminal drug-trafficking organizations (DTOs). Violence has been concentrated in the major drug-trafficking zones of Mexico’s northern, central, and Pacific states, which experience both fighting between national forces and DTOs and internal fighting between DTOs. In recent years, criminal groups have become fragmented, making the violence increasingly localized and contributing to a rise in homicide rates.

Gang-related violence in Mexico compromises people’s livelihoods and security, especially among poorer communities. Civilians living in areas under cartel control are at constant risk of extortion, harassment, and forced displacement because of violence.

Mexico is a major transit country for migrants and asylum seekers travelling towards the US. The growing number of people in mixed movements in Mexico has overwhelmed southern and northern border areas, where humanitarian needs are increasing. By January 2024, Mexico received 598,900 Venezuelans on the move.

The country is subject to climatic hazards, including floods, landslides, droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and tsunamis. Mexico is located along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where 80% of the world’s seismic activity occurs, and almost all its territory is highly exposed to earthquake risk.

(InSight Crime 06/12/2022, Expansión política 18/06/2022, CBP accessed 05/10/2022, Milenio 31/12/2022, R4V 30/01/2024)

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Latest updates on country situation

01 November 2023

On 25 October 2023, Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco, Mexico, resulting in 48 fatalities and 30 missing individuals as at 11 November. The Category 5 hurricane caused severe flooding and landslides, devastating critical infrastructure, damaging 120 health facilities, 292 education facilities and over 270,000 homes with 50,000 destroyed. The storm damaged 80% of hotel infrastructure. The damage of roads and bridges caused communication breakdowns, aggravating the crisis by leaving a significant number of people without basic services.
(OCHA 11/11/2023, UNICEF 01/11/2023, OCHA 13/11/2023)

current crises
in Mexico

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

MEX001 - Country Level

Last updated 20/11/2024

Drivers

Violence
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.8 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

MEX002 - Criminal Violence

Last updated 20/11/2024

Drivers

Violence
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

Access constraints

2.0

MEX003 - Mixed Migration

Last updated 20/11/2024

Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.3 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Mexico

Mexico: impacts of Hurricane John

31 October 2024

Mexico: impacts of Hurricane John

DOCUMENT / PDF / 334 KB

The Pacific Coast of Mexico received the first landfall of Hurricane John on 23 September and then the second landfall on 27 September. Over 280,000 people have been affected in Guerrero and Oaxaca state, and at least 39,000 houses were damaged in Guerrero state. Over 40,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed.

Natural hazards
Impact of hurricane Beryl

05 July 2024

Impact of hurricane Beryl

DOCUMENT / PDF / 374 KB

On 1 July, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in southern Windward Island, becoming the earliest Category 5 Atlantic Basin hurricane on record. By
4 July, its impact had killed ten people across the Caribbean. Some of the most affected islands are Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Grenada, with 95% of houses damaged. 

Natural hazards
Mexico: Venezuelan people stranded in Mexico

03 November 2022

Mexico: Venezuelan people stranded in Mexico

DOCUMENT / PDF / 395 KB

On 12 October, the US Department of Homeland Security announced joint actions with Mexico to create a more orderly and safe immigration system for Venezuelans. This aims to reduce the number of people arriving at the southwestern US border. At the same time, the number of stranded people unlikely to reach their destination is increasing, and the response capacity is overwhelmed.

Mixed migration
Mexico: humanitarian situation of people on the move

21 October 2022

Mexico: humanitarian situation of people on the move

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

This report aims to give an overview of the situation of migrants and asylum seekers in these areas, as well as those in transit across the country. It includes the most immediate humanitarian needs, access constraints, and information gaps.

Mixed migration
Mexico: COVID-19 and Migration

01 September 2020

Mexico: COVID-19 and Migration

DOCUMENT / PDF / 293 KB

At the end of August, the number of recorded COVID-19 deaths in Mexico reached 60,000, making it the country with the third highest death toll in the world, after the United States and Brazil. The COVID-19 epidemic in Mexico is interacting with other crisis dynamics in the country. 

COVID-19Mixed migration

Attached resources

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