Mexico in Numbers: A 2025 security snapshot

In August 2025, the national statistics agency INEGI released the results of the 2026 National Census of Federal Public Security and National Census of State Public Security, providing a comprehensive security snapshot for Mexico. The total security budget for 2025 was 136.16 billion pesos (approximately US $8 billion), with the National Guard (GN) accounting for 20.7% of that amount and the remaining 79.3% allocated to state security authorities. Notably, the GN excluded security spending in Mexico City from their figures.

Firearms seizures by both the National Guard and state security forces increased significantly in 2025. The National Guard confiscated 8,178 guns, while state forces seized 12,910 firearms, representing 61.2% of the total. Notably, the number of firearms seized by state authorities rose by 36% year-over-year, compared to a staggering 198.2% increase in confiscations by the National Guard.

During the same period, state authorities received more than 13.7 million emergency calls via the "911 system," marking a 2.8% increase from 2024. The National Guard and state security forces arrested over 400,000 people in 2025, a 4% decrease compared to 2024. The GN apprehended 23,206 individuals, marking a significant 137.4% increase in arrests from 2024. State security forces, on the other hand, arrested 389,921 people, a 7.3% decrease year-over-year.

The reasons for arrests varied, with arrests categorized under two main categories: "alleged civic infractions" and "alleged crimes." The five most common civic infractions included causing disturbances, consuming drugs or alcohol in public, driving under the influence, and obstructing public roads. The five most common crimes among arrested individuals encompassed small-scale drug trafficking, robbery, crimes involving weapons, assault, and crimes involving weapons and prohibited objects.