MEXICO CITY (EFE).— The organization Mexico Evaluates warned yesterday Thursday that more than 93% of crimes that are reported and investigated remain unpunished in the countryand warned of the lack of attention to the causes and risks that judicial reform and militarization mean for criminal justice institutions.
According to the report Findings 2023: monitoring and evaluation of the criminal justice systempresented in the Mexican capital, in 2023, 93.6% of the crimes investigated went unpunished throughout the countrywith higher rates in the states of Oaxaca (99.9%), Jalisco (99.12%) and Colima (97.5%).
What are the crimes with the highest rates of impunity?
Furthermore, the crimes with the highest rates of impunity last year were forced disappearance (99.5%), extortion (98.3%), fraud (97.2%) y intentional homicide (96.8%).
The report puts a magnifying glass on the deficiencies of the criminal justice system and highlights that “overload” in prosecutors’ offices, courts and public defender’s offices can lead to procedural errors, hasty investigations or inadequate defenses, compromising due process.
Furthermore, it highlights that in 2023, each prosecutor or agent of the Public Ministry handled an average of 310 investigation folders, an increase of 71%, compared to the 181 reported in 2022; while each judge in criminal matters heard on average 356 cases, when the previous year there were 335.
In the middle of the controversy over the election of judges in 2025the NGO warned that the promoters of the judicial reform assured that it will contribute to the reduction of impunity, but “in reality its causes and conditions were ignored.”
Likewise, he warned that “involve the National Guard in the investigation of crimes “It will distort criminal justice, since its military training lacks the focus on citizen security and human rights necessary for an effective investigation.”
Susana Camacho, coordinator of the Mexico Evalúa Justice Program, pointed out that “currently, only 3.6% of investigation files reach a judge.”
Lack of capabilities
“One of the factors of this low percentage is the lack of criminal investigation capabilities, which is the responsibility of the prosecutor’s offices,” said Camacho, in the presentation of the report.
Mariana Campos, general director of the organization, indicated that “to improve criminal justice, institutions need to be strengthened with trained and sufficient personnel.”
“To achieve this, it will not be enough to invest more resources. Its distribution must be rethought with a vision of sustainability, inclusion and results orientation.”
Among other findings, México Evalúa highlighted that the fastest criminal processes They were through reparation agreements, with 214 days on average; while the oral trials were the longest, with 553 days.
Official optimism
Security strategy is already paying off, he says Claudia Sheinbaum.
A month into her government, the president assured that the security strategy has already begun to give results, in addition that the Security Cabinet works 24 hours a day so that there is no impunity.
In his morning conference yesterday at National Palace, Claudia highlighted that the security strategy includes four axes: attention to the causes, strengthening of the National Guard, intelligence and investigation, and coordination.
Questioned about various acts of violence in Guerrero, the president stated that “it is being addressed.”
“We are not going to leave anyone helpless, the government is doing its job and the security strategy is going to give results, it is already giving results,” he added.
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**Interview with Susana Camacho, Coordinator of the Mexico Evalúa Justice Program**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Susana. Your recent report reveals alarming statistics about crime and impunity in Mexico. Can you start by summarizing the key findings?
**Susana Camacho**: Thank you for having me. Our report, *Findings 2023: Monitoring and Evaluation of the Criminal Justice System*, shows that a staggering 93.6% of crimes that are investigated in Mexico remain unpunished. This figure indicates not just a systemic failure, but also highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in our criminal justice system.
**Editor**: That’s quite shocking. You mentioned that certain states have even higher rates of impunity. Can you provide some details on that?
**Susana Camacho**: Yes, indeed. States like Oaxaca, Jalisco, and Colima exhibit the highest levels of impunity, with rates reaching up to 99.9% in Oaxaca. This effectively means that the vast majority of crimes are not leading to justice being served, which significantly undermines public trust in the legal system.
**Editor**: In your report, you discuss specific crimes with the highest rates of impunity. Could you elaborate on that?
**Susana Camacho**: Certainly. The crimes with the most alarming rates of impunity include forced disappearance at 99.5%, extortion at 98.3%, fraud at 97.2%, and intentional homicide at 96.8%. This highlights not only the pervasive nature of violent crime but also the severe obstacles law enforcement faces in bringing perpetrators to justice.
**Editor**: One critical point in your findings is the overload in prosecutorial and judicial offices. How does this affect the justice process?
**Susana Camacho**: The overload is significant. Each prosecutor handles an average of 310 investigation folders, which is a 71% increase from the previous year. This overwhelming workload often leads to procedural errors, rushed investigations, and inadequate defenses, which ultimately compromise due process and contribute to impunity.
**Editor**: With the upcoming judicial reform and the involvement of the National Guard in criminal investigations, what are your concerns?
**Susana Camacho**: Our organization is concerned that these reforms overlook the fundamental causes of the crisis. While proponents claim that these changes will reduce impunity, they fail to address the deep-rooted issues. The deployment of the National Guard, with their military training, risks distorting criminal justice practices, as they may not prioritize citizen security and human rights in the same way civilian investigators would.
**Editor**: Lastly, what changes do you believe are essential to bolster the criminal justice system in Mexico?
**Susana Camacho**: To improve criminal justice, we need to focus on strengthening the institutions involved. This includes increasing funding, providing adequate training for personnel, and ensuring that resources are available to manage case loads effectively. Only then can we hope to reduce impunity and restore faith in our justice system.
**Editor**: Thank you, Susana, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that there is much work to be done to address the challenges within Mexico’s criminal justice system.
**Susana Camacho**: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to raise awareness and advocate for effective reforms.