organized crime

The president relied on the military, rather than the police, to fight organized crime groups, which are among Mexico’s largest employers.

“There are many disappeared, many kidnappings, many murders because of the presence of organized crime. ... Against this wave of violence, we seek peace.”

Instead, she outlined a four-point strategy that emphasized intelligence-gathering, troop deployment, improved federal-state coordination and providing opportunities to dissuade impoverished young people from joining organized crime — which is among Mexico’s major employers.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including the federal racketeering count — a charge most often seen against organized crime figures.

A former public security minister, convicted last year of taking millions in bribes from leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, García Luna alleged that the current Mexican leader has connections with organized crime.