Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua – The Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) has disclosed the four primary routes utilized for the illicit flow of firearms from the United States into Mexico. Among these, a critical entry point from New Mexico into Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, has been highlighted for its role in exacerbating violence and the proliferation of illegal weaponry across the northern border.
Sedena Unveils Critical Arms Trafficking Corridors
In an interview with Joaquín López-Dóriga, General Omar Quinn Ponce of Sedena revealed that between 80% and 84% of firearms seized in Mexico originate from the United States. These identified routes represent geographical corridors that facilitate the illegal movement of high-caliber weapons into areas experiencing elevated levels of criminal activity.
Sedena’s investigation pinpoints the following major arms trafficking arteries:
- From California to Tijuana, Baja California
- From Arizona to Nogales, Sonora
- From New Mexico to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
- From Texas to Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas
The inclusion of Ciudad Juárez on this list underscores the strategic importance of the Chihuahua border region, serving as both a gateway for illegal arms and a focal point for the violence perpetrated by organized criminal groups operating within the area.
Border Impact: Fueling Violence and Crime
The corridor connecting the United States with Ciudad Juárez is an integral part of a broader arms trafficking network. Previous reports and studies indicate that this network exploits lenient gun laws in the U.S. and existing transportation infrastructure to introduce high-caliber weaponry into Mexican territory.
Criminal organizations, including cells linked to organized crime in the Juárez area, capitalize on these routes to procure arms. These weapons are subsequently used in confrontations, extortion, and other criminal acts that daily undermine public safety. The continuous flow of illicit arms further complicates the efforts of federal and local authorities to curb the prevailing violence.
Beyond the documented predominance of U.S.-sourced weapons, recent estimates suggest that 85% or more of the firearms seized in Mexico traverse cross-border routes connecting with U.S. states such as Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Ciudad Juárez stands out as a critical hub due to its substantial volume of land traffic and customs operations.
Federal authorities have intensified joint operations in an attempt to stem this flow. However, the problem persists, largely due to structural factors influencing the production, commercialization, and transportation of weapons in the border region.
Related Developments and Future Outlook
The issue of arms trafficking is intertwined with other significant local developments. For instance, business leaders in Juárez view the Bonilla model as a potential strategy yet to be fully explored for the city, emphasizing the need for continuity and tangible results in public administration rather than mere rhetoric.
Additionally, the governor is slated to review infrastructure projects for Juárez, funded by the ISN, and is expected to visit the city to analyze plans, inaugurate the Council for the Elderly, and preside over the Collective Marriages program ceremony.
In the political landscape, recent polls by Rubrum indicate strong preferences for Daniela, representing the PAN, with 59.1% of support, and Juan Carlos, from Morena, with 43.0% as the leading contenders for the mayoral race in Juárez.
Despite these challenges, Ciudad Juárez has shown some progress in reducing violence, moving away from the top 10 most violent cities globally. In the 2025 ranking, Mexico accounted for 17 of the 50 most violent cities worldwide, marking the highest figure for any single country.
The ongoing efforts by Sedena and other authorities highlight the persistent struggle against arms trafficking, a complex issue deeply embedded in the socio-economic and political fabric of the U.S.-Mexico border region. The strategic importance of Ciudad Juárez in these illicit networks necessitates continued vigilance and coordinated international efforts to mitigate the associated violence and instability.
