Mayors of Nuevo León Urge Security Roundtable; Call for Greater Coordination

Coordination between different levels of government in matters of public safety is a recurring and often thorny issue in Nuevo León. On June 11, the discussion gained renewed momentum with the pronouncements of several metropolitan mayors urging the state government, headed by Samuel García, to reinstate and expand the Security Coordination Board, a forum they consider vital for coordinating effective strategies against crime.

Among the mayors who have expressed this concern are prominent figures from the metropolitan area. Andrés Mijes, mayor of Escobedo, has been clear in stating that "there must be a broader table and coordinated decision-making." His counterpart from Apodaca, César Garza Villarreal, agreed with this position, emphasizing the importance of more participants joining this joint effort.

The mayors' demand is not new, but it resurfaces in a context where the perception of insecurity and high-impact crime continue to be one of the main concerns of Nuevo León residents. They argue that security cannot and should not be politicized and that inter-institutional collaboration is essential to achieve tangible results.

Governor Samuel García had previously announced, in January 2025, that security roundtables would be held daily and that he would include mayors, following a recommendation from the federal government within the framework of the National Conference of Governors (CONAGO). At the time, the state governor stated that this measure sought to "spearhead and lead efforts" in security matters. However, the current demands from mayors suggest that the implementation or effectiveness of this inclusion has not met the expectations of all municipalities.

The relationship between the state government and municipalities on security issues has had its ups and downs. In the past, Governor García himself had expressed reservations about the politicization of security issues in some municipalities, such as Santa Catarina, and had called for "closing ranks."

The main purpose of security coordination committees is to exchange intelligence information, plan joint operations, evaluate strategies, and facilitate consensus-based decision-making among state and municipal police forces, the State Attorney General's Office, and federal forces such as the Mexican Army and the National Guard. The absence or inadequacy of these forums can lead to disjointed efforts, duplication of functions, or, in the worst case, competition or distrust between agencies.

The mayors behind this lawsuit argue that a robust and truly inclusive coordination committee would allow for:

* Improve information flow: Share crucial data on crime rates, the modus operandi of criminal groups, and critical points in real time.

* Optimize resources: Avoid the dispersion of efforts and human and material resources, allocating them more strategically.

* Strengthen trust: Generate an environment of greater collaboration and trust among the various police commands.

* Adapt strategies: Adjust security plans to the specific characteristics of each municipality, but within a comprehensive metropolitan vision.

* Accountability: Establish clearer mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating results.

The perception that organized crime operates across borders between municipalities makes a coordinated response that transcends administrative divisions even more imperative.

At the time of writing, no official, updated response from the Nuevo León government to this new demand from the mayors has been received. A statement from the state executive branch or the Ministry of Public Security is expected in the coming days.

"There needs to be a broader table and coordinated decision-making." – Andrés Mijes, Mayor of Escobedo.

The pressure from the council members adds to the constant citizen demand for greater security. The political will to rebuild bridges and strengthen these coordination mechanisms will be key to advancing the pacification of Nuevo León. Security, the stakeholders insist, must be a priority that unites, not divides, the authorities.