SAA event in Mexico on Sun 17th May 2026

The Mexican Army carried out the mass destruction of 662 firearms that had been seized from organized crime cells in the state of Michoacán. The weapons, neutralized under strict national security protocols, represent a direct reduction in the firepower of the cartels vying for control of assets and strategic routes in the Tierra Caliente region and surrounding areas, regions historically impacted by a heavy history of violence and constant territorial disputes. The arsenal disabled by the federal government includes an operational breakdown of 223 handguns and 439 rifles, in addition to the destruction of 1,344 magazines, more than 44,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 773 casings, and 14 warheads. All of this material was removed from the streets between January and May through security and military intelligence operations coordinated by the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) and the National Guard. According to experts in the sector, this is an essential step for regional stability and public order. However, firsthand accounts indicate that a considerable portion of this heavy weaponry continued to enter the country illegally across the northern border through small-scale trafficking. These efforts by law enforcement and the armed forces aim to curb crime rates in a state where the struggle for control of territory continues unabated.