The National Action Party (PAN) formally filed a complaint against former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador with the International Criminal Court on Sunday, June 7, 2026. The filing targets the former administration’s “Abrazos, no balazos” (Hugs, not bullets) security strategy, which the party blames for a historic escalation in national violence and the empowerment of criminal cartels.
Did You Know? During the sexenio of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, approximately 201,000 people were executed in Mexico, a figure 67 percent higher than that recorded during the term of Felipe Calderón and 29 percent higher than the administration of Enrique Peña Nieto, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).
Why the PAN is seeking international intervention
Jorge Romero, president of the National Action Party, stated that the move toward international justice is necessary because the current domestic landscape lacks accountability. Romero argued that Morena’s success in last year’s elections resulted in the “capture” of the judicial branch, leaving no guarantees that local authorities would impartially investigate the former president. Roberto Gil Zuarth, acting as legal counsel for Governor Maru Campos, added that many institutions tasked with justice have ceased to generate public confidence.
The PAN maintains that the state’s failure to confront organized crime allowed groups to accumulate significant power and influence. According to the party, this has led to the infiltration of local governments, citing alleged links between politicians from Morena and criminal organizations in states including Sinaloa, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas.
The impact of the security strategy
The legal challenge centers on the long-term consequences of the “Abrazos, no balazos” policy. Roberto Gil Zuarth characterized the strategy’s legacy as having resulted in 200,000 intentional homicides and over 150,000 missing persons. The party further highlighted the prevalence of massacres, the displacement of communities, and the existence of regions where cartels exert more control than official authorities.
Expert Insight: The filing at the International Criminal Court represents a strategic escalation by the opposition to bypass domestic judicial institutions. By framing the violence as a failure of state policy rather than mere criminal activity, the PAN is attempting to elevate the accountability of former executive leadership to the international stage. The success of this move depends on whether the court finds sufficient evidence of systemic failure, though the move itself signals a deep erosion of trust in Mexico’s internal legal mechanisms.
What could happen next
The filing of this complaint signals a potential shift in how Mexico’s political opposition addresses the legacy of the previous administration. While López Obrador defended his record by claiming his government successfully reversed the trend of homicides, the current administration under President Claudia Sheinbaum has adopted a markedly different tone. President Sheinbaum has implemented a more frontal approach to cartel operations, resulting in the neutralization of leaders like Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’, and the extradition of over 170 drug trafficking leaders to the United States. Analysts may observe whether the ICC accepts the petition or if the pressure forces further domestic investigations into the alleged links between political figures and criminal groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary reason the PAN filed this complaint?
The PAN claims that Morena has captured the judicial branch, making it impossible to secure an impartial investigation into the former president’s security policies within Mexico.
How does the current violence compare to previous administrations?
According to Inegi data, the 201,000 executions during the López Obrador administration represent a 67 percent increase over the Calderón era and a 29 percent increase over the Peña Nieto administration.
How has the current administration’s security approach differed?
Unlike the previous strategy, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has utilized a more direct approach, including high-profile operations against cartel leadership and the delivery of over 170 suspects to the United States.
Do you believe international oversight is a viable path for addressing domestic security crises?
