Mexican Armed Forces

The Mexican Armed Forces (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas de México) are the military of the United Mexican States. They are composed of two independent branches: the Mexican Army—which includes land forces, the Mexican Air Force, the Special Forces Body, and the National Guard—and the Mexican Navy, which includes naval forces, the Naval Infantry Force (marines), the Naval Aviation, the Search & Rescue Corps (coast guard), and the Marine Special Forces. With approximately 387,000 active personnel, the Mexican Armed Forces are the 18th largest miliary force in the world, and rank 32nd worldwide in conventional warmaking capability.

The first permanent military force on Mexican soil was established by Spain during the colonial era in the eighteenth century. After Mexican independence in 1821, the military played an important political role, with army generals serving as heads of state. Following the collapse of the Federal Army during the 1910–1920 Mexican Revolution, former revolutionary generals systematically downsized the size and power of the military. Subsequently the Mexican Armed Forces are constitutionally under the civil authority of the federal government of Mexico. The Army and Navy are controlled by two separate government departments, the Secretariat of National Defense and the Secretariat of the Navy, and maintain two independent chains of command, with the joint command being Mexico's cabinet of security and the President of Mexico.

Under federal law, the general missions of the Mexican Armed Forces are to defend national integrity, independence, and sovereignty; guarantee internal security; attend to the public needs of the civilian population; advance the country’s progress through civic actions and social projects; and, in the case of a disaster, to maintain public order, help people in need and protect their possessions, and reconstruct affected zones. Owing to this broad mandate, the military has been involved in a wide range of activities, including operating public health campaigns, constructing public works, managing public facilities, and administering customs and border enforcement.

Since 2006, the Mexican Armed Forces have assumed greater responsibilities and functions beyond conventional military duties, most notably taking a leading role in the ongoing armed conflict against drug trafficking syndicates. In 2019, the military expanded its law enforcement role through the incorporation of the National Guard, a gendarmerie that essentially succeeded the disbanded Federal Police. As of 2021, close to 250 government functions previously overseen by civilian authorities have been transferred to the military, including regulating maritime communication and transportation, constructing public buildings and facilities, and overseeing tourism companies.