# Mexican Army

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Mexican Armed Forces land and air branches

Mexican Army Ejército Mexicano Mexican Army emblem Founded February 19, 1913; 113 years ago (1913-02-19) Country Mexico Type Army and air force Role National defense Size 275,443 (2025) Part of Mexican Armed Forces Secretariat of National Defense Motto Siempre Leales (Always Loyal) Colors red Mascot Golden eagle Anniversaries 19 February, Day of the Army.[1] 13 September, Día de los Niños Héroes.[2] Equipment See: Equipment Engagements See list Mexican War of Independence Anexation of Central America Salvadoran-Mexican War Casa Mata Plan Revolution Spanish attempts to reconquer Mexico Texas Revolution First Franco-Mexican War Rebellion of Rio Grande Invasion of Yucatán Texas-Mexico Conflicts Texan Santa Fe Expedition Adrián Woll's Expedition into Texas Mier Expedition Texas Raids on New Mexico Anexation of Soconusco Capture of Monterrey Mexican-American War Caste War of Yucatán Fillibustering in Mexico Gaston de Rousset's Expeditions to Sonora William Walker's Expedition to Baja California Battle of Caborca Revolution of Ayutla Reform War Second Franco-Mexican War Lerdista Uprising Mexican Revolution Border War La Cristiada World War II Philippines Campaign Dirty War Zapatista Uprising Mexican Drug War Commanders Commander-in-chief President Claudia Sheinbaum Secretary of National Defense General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo Commander of the Army General Celestino Ávila Astudillo Insignia Guidon

Military unit

The **Mexican Army** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Ejército Mexicano*) is the combined [land](/source/Army) and [air](/source/Air_Force) branch of the [Mexican Armed Forces](/source/Mexican_Armed_Forces). It includes the [Mexican Air Force](/source/Mexican_Air_Force), the Special Forces Body, and the [National Guard](/source/National_Guard_(Mexico)).

With an [active-duty force](/source/Active_duty) of 261,773 servicemembers (as of 2024), the Army is the largest component of the Mexican Armed Forces. It is under the authority of the [Secretariat of National Defense](/source/Secretariat_of_National_Defense) ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional*, **SEDENA**) and is headed by the Secretary of National Defence, who is directly answerable to the [President](/source/President_of_Mexico).

## History

### Antecedents

#### Pre-Columbian era: native warriors

Main articles: [Aztec warfare](/source/Aztec_warfare) and [Mayan warfare](/source/Mayan_warfare)

Aztec warriors as shown in the 16th century [Florentine Codex](/source/Florentine_Codex). Each warrior is brandishing a [Maquahuitl](/source/Maquahuitl).

 This page from the [Codex Mendoza](/source/Codex_Mendoza) shows the gradual improvements to equipment and *tlahuiztli* as a warrior progresses through the ranks from commoner to porter to warrior to captor, and later as a noble progressing in the warrior societies from the noble warrior to "Eagle warrior" to "Jaguar Warrior" to "Otomitl" to "Shorn One" and finally as "Tlacateccatl".

Tepoztōpīlli from the *Armeria Real* collection in [Madrid](/source/Madrid)

In the prehispanic era, there were many indigenous tribes and highly developed city-states in what is now known as central Mexico. The most advanced and powerful kingdoms were those of [Tenochtitlan](/source/Tenochtitlan), [Texcoco](/source/Texcoco_(altepetl)) and [Tlacopan](/source/Tlacopan), which comprised populations of the same ethnic origin and were politically linked by an alliance known as the [Triple Alliance](/source/Aztec_Empire); colloquially these three states are known as the [Aztec](/source/Aztec). They had a center for higher education called the [Calmecac](/source/Calmecac) in [Nahuatl](/source/Nahuatl), this was where the children of the Aztec priesthood and nobility receive rigorous religious and military training and conveyed the highest knowledge such as: doctrines, divine songs, the science of interpreting codices, calendar skills, memorization of texts, etc. In Aztec society, it was compulsory for all young males, nobles as well as commoners, to join part of the armed forces at the age of 15. Recruited by regional and clan groups (*calpulli*) the conscripts were organized in units of about 8,000 men (*Xiquipilli*). These were broken down into 400 strong sub-units. Aztec nobility (some of whom were the children of commoners who had distinguished themselves in battle) led their own serfs on campaign.[3]

[Itzcoatl](/source/Itzcoatl) "Obsidian Serpent" (1381–1440), fourth king of Tenochtitlán, organized the army that defeated the [Tepanec](/source/Tepanec) of [Azcapotzalco](/source/Azcapotzalco_(altepetl)), freeing his people from their dominion. His reign began with the rise of what would become the largest empire in [Mesoamerica](/source/Mesoamerica). Then [Moctezuma Ilhuicamina](/source/Moctezuma_Ilhuicamina) "*The arrow to the sky*" (1440–1469) came to extend the domain and the influence of the monarchy of Tenochtitlán. He began to organize trade to the outside regions of the [Valley of Mexico](/source/Valley_of_Mexico). This was the Mexica ruler who organized the alliance with the lordships of Texcoco and Tlacopan to form the Triple Alliance.

The Aztec established the [Flower Wars](/source/Flower_Wars) as a form of worship; these, unlike the wars of conquest, were aimed at obtaining prisoners for sacrifice to the sun. Combat orders were given by kings (or Lords) using drums or blowing into a sea snail shell that gave off a sound like a horn. Giving out signals using coats of arms was very common. For combat outside of cities, they would organize several groups, only one of which would be involved in action, while the others remained on the alert. When attacking enemy cities, they usually divided their forces into three equal-sized wings, which simultaneously assaulted different parts of the defences – this enabled the leaders to determine which division of warriors had distinguished themselves the most in combat.[4]

#### Military in the Spanish colonial era

Main article: [Military of New Spain](/source/Military_of_New_Spain)

See also: [Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire](/source/Spanish_conquest_of_the_Aztec_Empire), [Spanish conquest of Yucatán](/source/Spanish_conquest_of_Yucat%C3%A1n), [Spanish conquest of Chiapas](/source/Spanish_conquest_of_Chiapas), and [Chichimeca War](/source/Chichimeca_War)

Uniforms of four [line infantry](/source/Line_infantry) regiments raised in [New Spain](/source/New_Spain) under the [Bourbon Reforms](/source/Bourbon_Reforms) in 1788

During the 18th century the Spanish colonial forces in the greater Mexico region consisted of regular "Peninsular" regiments sent from Spain itself, augmented by locally recruited provincial and urban militia units of infantry, cavalry and artillery. A few regular infantry and dragoon regiments (e.g. the *Regimiento de Mexico*) were recruited within Mexico and permanently stationed there.[5] Mounted units of *soldados de cuera* (so called from the leather protective clothing that they wore)[6] patrolled frontier and desert regions.[7]

### Independence

Main article: [Mexican War of Independence](/source/Mexican_War_of_Independence)

1910 painting of the [capture of Alhóndiga de Granaditas](/source/Capture_of_Alh%C3%B3ndiga_de_Granaditas)

In the early morning of 16 September 1810, the Army of [Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla](/source/Miguel_Hidalgo_y_Costilla) initiated the independence movement. Hidalgo was followed by his loyal companions, among them [Mariano Abasolo](/source/Mariano_Abasolo), and a small army equipped with swords, spears, slingshots and sticks. Captain General [Ignacio Allende](/source/Ignacio_Allende) was the military brains of the insurgent army in the first phase of the War of Independence and secured several victories over the Spanish Royal Army. Their troops were about 5,000 strong and were later joined by squadrons of the Queen's Regiment where its members in turn contributed infantry battalions and cavalry squadrons to the insurrection cause.

The Spaniards saw that it was important to defend the [Alhóndiga de Granaditas](/source/Alh%C3%B3ndiga_de_Granaditas) public granary in Guanajuato, which maintained the flow of water, weapons, food and ammunition to the Spanish Royal Army. The insurgents entered Guanajuato and proceeded to lay siege to the Alhóndiga. The insurgents suffered heavy casualties until Juan Jose de los Reyes, the *Pípila*, fitted a slab of rock on his back to protect himself from enemy fire and crawled to the large wooden door of the Alhóndiga with a torch in hand to set it on fire. With this stunt, the insurgents managed to bring down the door and enter the building and overrun it. Hidalgo headed to Valladolid (now [Morelia](/source/Morelia)), which was captured with little opposition. While the Insurgent Army was, by then, over 60,000 strong, it was mostly formed of poorly armed men with arrows, sticks and tillage tools – it had a few guns, which had been taken from Spanish stocks.

In [Aculco](/source/Aculco), the Royal Spanish forces under the command of [Felix Maria Calleja](/source/Felix_Maria_Calleja), Count of Calderón, and Don Manuel de Flon (and comprising 200 infantrymen, 500 cavalry and 12 cannons) defeated the insurgents, who lost many men as well as the artillery they had obtained at [Battle of Monte de las Cruces](/source/Battle_of_Monte_de_las_Cruces). On 29 November 1810, Hidalgo entered Guadalajara, the capital of [Nueva Galicia](/source/Nueva_Galicia), where he organized his government and the Insurgent Army; he also issued a decree abolishing slavery. At Calderon Bridge (*Puente de Calderón*) near the city of [Guadalajara](/source/Guadalajara), insurgents held a hard-fought [battle](/source/Battle_of_Calderon_Bridge) with the royalists. During the fierce fighting, one of the insurgents' ammunition wagons exploded, which led to their defeat. The insurgents lost all their artillery, much of their equipment and the lives of many men.

At the [Wells of Baján](/source/Wells_of_Baj%C3%A1n) (*Norias de Baján*) near [Monclova](/source/Monclova), [Coahuila](/source/Coahuila), a former royalist named [Ignacio Elizondo](/source/Ignacio_Elizondo), who had joined the insurgent cause, betrayed them and seized Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, José Mariano Jiménez and the rest of the entourage. They were brought to the city of Chihuahua where they were tried by a military court and executed by firing squad on 30 July 1811. Hidalgo's death resulted in a political vacuum for the insurgents until 1812. Meanwhile, the royalist military commander, General [Félix María Calleja](/source/F%C3%A9lix_Mar%C3%ADa_Calleja), continued to pursue rebel troops. The fighting evolved into guerrilla warfare.

1842 illustration of the [Army of the Three Guarantees](/source/Army_of_the_Three_Guarantees) entering Mexico City in September 1821

The next major rebel leader was the priest [José María Morelos y Pavón](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Morelos_y_Pav%C3%B3n), who had formerly led the insurgent movement alongside Hidalgo. Morelos fortified the port of [Acapulco](/source/Acapulco) and took the city of [Chilpancingo](/source/Chilpancingo). Along the way, Morelos, was joined by Leonardo Bravo, his son Nicholas and his brothers Max, Victor and Miguel Bravo. Morelos conducted several campaigns in the south, managing to conquer much of the region as he gave orders to the insurgents to promote the writing of the first constitution for the new Mexican nation: the [Constitution of Apatzingán](/source/Constitution_of_Apatzing%C3%A1n), which was drafted in 1814. In 1815, Morelos was apprehended and executed by firing squad. His death concluded the second phase of the Mexican War for Independence.

From 1815 to 1820, the independence movement became sluggish; it was briefly reinvigorated by [Francisco Javier Mina](/source/Francisco_Javier_Mina) and [Pedro Moreno](/source/Pedro_Moreno_(soldier)), who were both quickly apprehended and executed. It was not until late 1820, when [Agustín de Iturbide](/source/Agust%C3%ADn_de_Iturbide), one of the most bloodthirsty enemies of the insurgents, established relations with [Vicente Guerrero](/source/Vicente_Guerrero) and [Guadalupe Victoria](/source/Guadalupe_Victoria), two of the rebel leaders. Guerrero and Victoria supported Iturbide's plan for Mexican independence, [El Plan de Iguala](/source/Plan_de_Iguala) and Iturbide was appointed commander of the [Ejército Trigarante](/source/Army_of_the_Three_Guarantees), or *The Army of the Three Guarantees*. With this new alliance, they were able to enter Mexico City on 27 September 1821, which concluded the Mexican War for Independence.

### Pastry War

Main article: [Pastry War](/source/Pastry_War)

1828 illustration of a Mexican soldier in [full dress uniform](/source/Full_dress_uniform)

The Pastry War was the first French intervention in Mexico. Following the widespread civil disorder that plagued the early years of the Mexican republic, fighting in the streets destroyed a great deal of personal property. Foreigners whose property was damaged or destroyed by rioters or bandits were usually unable to obtain compensation from the government, and began to appeal to their own governments for help.

In 1838, a French [pastry](/source/Pastry) cook, Monsieur Remontel, claimed that his shop in the [Tacubaya](/source/Metro_Tacubaya) district of Mexico City had been ruined in 1828 by looting Mexican officers. He appealed to [France](/source/France)'s King [Louis-Philippe](/source/Louis-Philippe_of_France) (1773–1850). Coming to its citizen's aid, France demanded 600,000 pesos in damages. This amount was extremely high when compared to an average workman's daily pay, which was about one peso. In addition to this amount, Mexico had defaulted on millions of dollars' worth of loans from France. Diplomat [Baron Deffaudis](/source/Antoine_Louis_Deffaudis) gave Mexico an ultimatum to pay, or the French would demand satisfaction. When the payment was not forthcoming from president [Anastasio Bustamante](/source/Anastasio_Bustamante) (1780–1853), the king sent a fleet under Rear Admiral [Charles Baudin](/source/Charles_Baudin) to declare a blockade of all Mexican ports from [Yucatán](/source/Yucat%C3%A1n_(state)) to the [Rio Grande](/source/Rio_Grande), to bombard the Mexican fortress of [San Juan de Ulúa](/source/Battle_of_Veracruz_(1838)), and to seize the port of [Veracruz](/source/Veracruz%2C_Veracruz). Virtually the entire Mexican Navy was captured at Veracruz by December 1838. Mexico declared war on France.

With trade cut off, the Mexicans began smuggling imports into [Corpus Christi](/source/Corpus_Christi%2C_Texas), [Texas](/source/Texas), and then into Mexico. Fearing that France would blockade [Texan](/source/Republic_of_Texas) ports as well, a battalion of men of the [Republic of Texas](/source/Republic_of_Texas) force began patrolling Corpus Christi Bay to stop Mexican smugglers. One smuggling party abandoned their cargo of about a hundred barrels of flour on the beach at the mouth of the bay, thus giving [Flour Bluff](/source/Flour_Bluff) its name. The United States, ever watchful of its relations with Mexico, sent the schooner *Woodbury* to help the French in their blockade. Talks between the [French Kingdom](/source/July_Monarchy) and the Texan nation occurred and France agreed not to offend the soil or waters of the Republic of Texas. With the diplomatic intervention of the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland), eventually [President Bustamante](/source/Anastasio_Bustamante) promised to pay the 600,000 pesos and the French forces withdrew on 9 March 1839.

### Mexican–American War

Main article: [Mexican–American War](/source/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War)

Engraving of Mexican soldiers (right) at the [Battle of Churubusco](/source/Battle_of_Churubusco)

Re-enactors portraying American and Mexican soldiers of the conflict

U.S. territorial expansion under [Manifest Destiny](/source/Manifest_Destiny) in the 19th century had reached the banks of the Rio Grande, which prompted Mexican president [José Joaquín de Herrera](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Joaqu%C3%ADn_de_Herrera) to form an army of 6,000 men to defend the Mexican northern frontier from the expansion of the neighboring country. In 1845, Texas, a former Mexican territory that had broken away from Mexico by rebellion, was annexed into the United States. In response to this, the minister of Mexico in the U.S., [Juan N. Almonte](/source/Juan_Almonte) called for his Letters of Recognition and returned to Mexico; hostilities promptly ensued. On 25 April 1846, a Mexican force under colonel Anastasio Torrejon surprised and defeated a U.S. squadron at the Rancho de Carricitos in [Matamoros](/source/Matamoros%2C_Tamaulipas) in an event that would later be known as the [Thornton Skirmish](/source/Thornton_Affair); this was the pretext that U.S. president James K. Polk used to persuade the U.S. congress into declaring a state of war against Mexico on 13 May 1846. U.S. Army captain [John C. Frémont](/source/John_C._Fr%C3%A9mont), with about sixty well-armed men, had entered the California territory in December 1845 before the war had been official and was marching slowly to Oregon when he received word that war between Mexico and the U.S. was imminent; thus began a chapter of the war known as the [Bear Flag Revolt](/source/Bear_Flag_Revolt).

On 20 September 1846, the U.S. launched an attack on [Monterrey](/source/Monterrey), which fell after 5 days. After this U.S. victory, hostilities were suspended for 7 weeks, allowing Mexican troops to leave the city with their flags displayed in full honors as U.S. soldiers regrouped and regained their losses. In August 1846, Commodore [David Conner](/source/David_Conner_(naval_officer)) and his squadron of ships were in Veracruzian waters; he tried, unsuccessfully, to seize the Fort of [Alvarado](/source/Alvarado%2C_Veracruz), which was defended by the Mexican Navy. The Americans were forced to relocate to [Antón Lizardo](/source/Ant%C3%B3n_Lizardo). In confronting resistance and fortifications at the port of [Veracruz](/source/Veracruz), the U.S. Army and Marines implemented an intense bombardment of the city from 22 to 26 March 1847, causing about five hundred civilian deaths and significant damage to homes, buildings, and merchandise. General [Winfield Scott](/source/Winfield_Scott) and Commodore [Matthew C. Perry](/source/Matthew_C._Perry) capitalized on this civilian suffering: by refusing to allow the consulates of Spain and France to assist in civilian evacuation, they pressed Mexican Gen. Juan Morales to negotiate surrender.

U.S. commodore [Matthew C. Perry](/source/Matthew_C._Perry), who had already captured the town of Frontera, in [Tabasco](/source/Tabasco), tried to seize San Juan Bautista (modern [Villahermosa](/source/Villahermosa)), but he was repelled three times by a Mexican garrison of just under three hundred men. U.S. troops were also sent to the California territories with the intention of seizing it. After squads of U.S. troops occupied the City of Los Angeles, Mexican authorities were forced to move to [Sonora](/source/Sonora); but, by the end of September 1846, commander [José María Flores](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Flores) was able to gather 500 Mexicans and managed to defeat the U.S. garrison at Los Angeles and then sent detachments to [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara%2C_California) and [San Diego](/source/San_Diego). After putting up a fierce defense against the U.S. invasion, the Mexican positions along the state of Chihuahua began to fall. These forces had been organized by general José Antonio de Heredia and governor Ángel Trías Álvarez. The cavalry of the latter made several desperate charges against the U.S. that nearly achieved victory, but his inexperience in fighting was evident and, in the end, all the positions gained were lost.

### French intervention

Main article: [Second French intervention in Mexico](/source/Second_French_intervention_in_Mexico)

The [Battle of Puebla](/source/Battle_of_Puebla)

The French intervention was an invasion by an [expeditionary force](/source/Expeditionary_warfare) sent by the [Second French Empire](/source/Second_French_Empire), supported in the beginning by the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland) and the [Kingdom of Spain](/source/Kingdom_of_Spain). It followed [President](/source/President_of_Mexico) [Benito Juárez](/source/Benito_Ju%C3%A1rez)'s suspension of interest payments to foreign countries on 17 July 1861, which angered Mexico's major creditors: Spain, France and Britain.

[Napoleon III of France](/source/Napoleon_III_of_France) was the instigator: His foreign policy was based on a commitment to free trade. For him, a friendly government in Mexico provided an opportunity to expand free trade by ensuring European access to important markets, and preventing monopoly by the United States. Napoleon also needed the silver that could be mined in Mexico to finance his empire. Napoleon built a coalition with Spain and Britain at a time the U.S. was engaged in a full-scale [civil war](/source/American_Civil_War). The U.S. protested, but could not intervene directly until its civil war was over in 1865.[8]

The three powers signed the [Treaty of London](/source/Treaty_of_London_(1861)) on 31 October, to unite their efforts to receive payments from Mexico. On 8 December, the Spanish fleet and troops from Spanish-controlled [Cuba](/source/Cuba) arrived at Mexico's main [Gulf](/source/Gulf_of_Mexico) port, [Veracruz](/source/Veracruz%2C_Veracruz). When the British and Spanish discovered that the French planned to invade Mexico, they withdrew.

The subsequent French invasion resulted in the [Second Mexican Empire](/source/Second_Mexican_Empire), which was supported by the Roman Catholic clergy, many conservative elements of the upper class, and some indigenous communities. The presidential terms of [Benito Juárez](/source/Benito_Ju%C3%A1rez) (1858–71) were interrupted by the rule of the [Habsburg](/source/House_of_Habsburg) monarchy in Mexico (1864–67). Conservatives, and many in the [Mexican nobility](/source/Mexican_nobility), tried to revive the monarchical form of government (see: [First Mexican Empire](/source/First_Mexican_Empire)) when they helped to bring to Mexico an archduke from the Royal House of Austria, Maximilian Ferdinand, or [Maximilian I of Mexico](/source/Maximilian_I_of_Mexico) (who married Charlotte of Belgium, also known as [Carlota of Mexico](/source/Carlota_of_Mexico)), with the military support of France. France had various interests in this Mexican affair, such as seeking reconciliation with [Austria](/source/Austrian_Empire), which had been defeated during the [Franco-Austrian War](/source/Second_Italian_War_of_Independence), counterbalancing the growing U.S. power by developing a powerful Catholic neighbouring empire, and exploiting the rich mines in the north-west of the country.

#### Mexican Republican forces

1863 illustration of Mexican Republican Army soldiers

In 1861, the Mexican Republican Army consisted of ten regular line battalions each of eight companies, and six line cavalry regiments, each of two squadrons. With six batteries of field artillery plus engineers, train and garrison units, the regular army numbered about 12,000 men. Auxiliary forces, comprising state militias and National Guards, provided a further 25 infantry battalions and 25 cavalry squadrons plus some garrison and artillery units. The National Guard of the Federal District of Mexico City amounted to six infantry battalions plus one each of cavalry and artillery. The newly raised corps of [Rurales](/source/Rurales), created on 5 May 1861 as a mounted [gendarmerie](/source/Gendarmerie), numbered 2,200 and served as dispersed units of light cavalry against the French.[9]

While opposed by substantial forces of French regular troops plus Mexican Imperial forces and contingents of foreign volunteers,[10] the Republican Army remained in being as an effective force after the fall of Mexico City in 1863. By 1865 Liberal opposition was being led by a core of 50,000 regular Mexican troops and state National Guards, augmented by approximately 10,000 guerrillas.[11]

### Díaz era

Main article: [Federal Army](/source/Federal_Army)

Following the French withdrawal and the overthrow of the Imperial regime of Maximilian, the Mexican Republic was re-established in 1867. In 1876, [Porfirio Diaz](/source/Porfirio_Diaz), a leading general of the anti-Maximilianist forces, became president. He was to retain power until 1910, with only one short break. During the early part of this period of extended rule, Diaz relied essentially on military power to remain in office. However he was able to develop other support bases and the army became a reliable non-political instrument for maintaining internal order.[12]

Diaz undertook a series of reforms intended to modernize the Mexican Army,[13] while at the same time terminating the historic pattern of local commanders attempting to seize power using irregulars or provincial forces.[14] The increasingly elderly[15] generals of the Federal Army were frequently transferred and kept loyal through opportunities for graft. By the early 1900s the large officer corps was benefiting from professional training along Prussian Army lines and improved career opportunities for cadets of middle-class origin.[12] Finally, an efficient mounted police force of [rurales](/source/Rurales) took over responsibility for public order,[16] and the army itself was reduced in size by about a third.[17]

Mexican Federal Army troops in [Torreón](/source/Torre%C3%B3n), c. 1914

A continuing weakness in the Mexican Army throughout the Diaz period was the low morale and motivation of the rank-and-file. They mostly consisted of Indian and [mestizo](/source/Mestizo) conscripts, forced into service under the random *leva* system. Some were enlisted as a means of punishment or because of social discrimination, and a number of future revolutionary leaders received their initial military experience in the ranks of the Federal Army.[12]

By 1910, the army numbered about 25,000 men, largely conscripts of Indian origin officered by 4,000 white middle-class officers. While generally well equipped, the Federal Army under Diaz was too small in numbers to offer effective opposition to the revolutionary forces led by [Francisco Madero](/source/Francisco_Madero).[18] During the long period of Porfirian stability, increased reliance had been placed on the new railway network to quickly move small numbers of troops to suppress regional unrest. When faced with widespread revolution during 1910-11 the railway lines proved too vulnerable, regular army strength too limited and state militias too disorganised to control the situation.[19]

### Mexican Revolution 1910–1920

Main article: [Mexican Revolution](/source/Mexican_Revolution)

Mexican troops during the Mexican Revolution

The ouster of Porfirio Díaz saw [Francisco I. Madero](/source/Francisco_I._Madero): a member of a rich landowning family, elected as President of Mexico. Madero kept the Federal Army intact, despite the fact that it had been outmaneuvered by the revolutionary forces that brought him to power. General [Victoriano Huerta](/source/Victoriano_Huerta) overthrew Madero in a bloody [February 1913 coup](/source/Ten_Tragic_Days). Forces opposed to the Huerta regime united against him, particularly the [Constitutionalists](/source/Constitutionalists) in the north. These were led by a civilian, [Venustiano Carranza](/source/Venustiano_Carranza) as "First Chief," commanding forces led by a number of generals, but most prominently [Alvaro Obregón](/source/Alvaro_Obreg%C3%B3n) and [Pancho Villa](/source/Pancho_Villa). In the Morelos region, an intense guerrilla warfare was waged by forces led by [Emiliano Zapata](/source/Emiliano_Zapata). The Federal Army supporting Huerta was defeated at the [Battle of Zacatecas](/source/Battle_of_Zacatecas_(1914)) and finally disbanded in 1914[20] and a new Government army was created from Obregón's Constitutionalist forces.

Zapata was assassinated in 1919; Villa was bought off and took up civilian life in northern Mexico, before being assassinated in 1923. During the post-military phase following 1920, a number of Constitutionalist leaders became presidents of Mexico: Alvaro Obregón (1920–1924), [Plutarco Elías Calles](/source/Plutarco_El%C3%ADas_Calles) (1924–28), [Lázaro Cárdenas](/source/L%C3%A1zaro_C%C3%A1rdenas) (1934–1940), and [Manuel Avila Camacho](/source/Manuel_Avila_Camacho) (1940–1946). When Lázaro Cárdenas reorganized the political party founded by Plutarco Elías Calles, he created sectoral representation of groups in Mexico, one of which was the Mexican Army. In the subsequent reorganization of the party, which took place in 1946, the [Institutional Revolutionary Party](/source/Institutional_Revolutionary_Party) no longer had a separate sector for the army. No military man has been president of Mexico after 1946.

### Contemporary era

General [Lázaro Cárdenas](/source/L%C3%A1zaro_C%C3%A1rdenas), who as president of Mexico 1934–1940 brought the Mexican military under civilian control

#### Post-revolutionary period

Mexican soldiers on parade in Mexico's independence day parade in 2009, Mexico DF, carrying Mexican [FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Serpent)](/source/FX-05_Xiuhcoatl) [assault rifles](/source/Assault_rifles).

The ending of the Diaz regime saw a resurgence of numerous local forces led by revolutionary generals. In 1920, more than 80,000 Mexicans were under arms,[21] with only a minority forming part of regular forces obedient to a central authority. During the 1920s, the new government demobilised the revolutionary bands, reopened the [*Colegio Militar*](/source/Heroic_Military_Academy_(Mexico)) (Military Academy), established the *Escuela Superior de Guerra* (Staff College), and raised the salaries and improved the conditions of service of the rank and file of the regular army. In spite of an abortive generals' revolt in 1927, the result was a professional army obedient to the central government.[22]

During this period the army was reduced in numbers through the disbandment of twenty mounted cavalry regiments, ten infantry battalions and the majority of the specialist railroad units previously required. In 1937 a process of accelerated modernisation began with the creation of companies of light tanks, mechanised infantry and motorised anti-aircraft batteries.[23]

During the 1930s, the political role of the officer corps was reduced by the governing Revolutionary Party and a workers' militia was established, outnumbering the regular army by two to one. By the end of [World War II](/source/World_War_II), the Mexican Army had become a strictly professional force focused on national defense rather than political involvement.[24]

#### Mexican drug war

Main article: [Mexican drug war](/source/Mexican_drug_war)

Although violence between drug cartels has been occurring long before the war began, the government held a generally passive stance regarding cartel violence during the 1990s and the early years of the 21st century. That changed on 11 December 2006, when newly elected [President](/source/Mexican_President) [Felipe Calderón](/source/Felipe_Calder%C3%B3n) sent 6,500 federal troops to the state of [Michoacán](/source/Michoac%C3%A1n) to end drug violence there. This action is regarded as the first major retaliation made against the cartel violence, and is generally viewed as the starting point of the war between the government and the drug cartels.[25] As time progressed, Calderón continued to escalate his anti-drug campaign, in which there are now about 45,000 troops involved along with state and federal police forces.

In recent times, the Mexican military has largely participated in efforts against drug trafficking. The Operaciones contra el narcotrafico (Operations against drug trafficking), for example, describes its purpose in regards to "the performance of the Mexican Army and Air Force in the permanent campaign against the drug trafficking is sustained properly in the duties that the Executive of the Nation grants to the armed forces", for according to Article 89, Section VI of the Constitution of the Mexican United States, it is the duty of the President of the Republic of the United Mexican States, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to ensure that the Mexican Armed Forces perform its mandate of national security within and outside the state borders.

#### Human Rights Violations

The Mexican Army has been involved in massacres, extrajudicial killings and incidents linked to organized crime that have drawn both national and international scrutiny. Notable cases include the [Tlatelolco massacre](/source/Tlatelolco_massacre) (1968), the [Acteal massacre](/source/Acteal_massacre) (1997), the [Iguala mass kidnapping](/source/Iguala_mass_kidnapping) (2014), the Tlatlaya Massacre (2014),[26] the Technological Institute of Higher Learning of Monterrey massacre (2010)[27] and the case of the General [Jesús Gutiérrez Rebollo](/source/Jes%C3%BAs_Guti%C3%A9rrez_Rebollo). These events have raised concerns regarding the military's role in internal security and its accountability in operations involving civilian populations.

Furthermore, The Mexican Army has inadvertently served as a recruitment pool for cartel organizations as in the case of [Arturo Guzmán Decena](/source/Arturo_Guzm%C3%A1n_Decena).[28]

## Structure

[Mexican Air Force](/source/Mexican_Air_Force) cadets march during the Mexican Independence day military parade in [Mexico City](/source/Mexico_City) on 27 July 2012.

The Army is under the authority of the [National Defense Secretariat](/source/National_Defense_Secretariat) or SEDENA and is headed by the Secretary of National Defence, who is simultaneously a member of the central government and the sole four-star general. His counterpart is the Secretary of the Navy, who is a member of the central government and the sole four-star admiral.

The National Defence Secretariat has three components: a national headquarters, territorial commands, and independent units. The Secretary of National Defence delegates overall command of the Army thru the office of Commander of the Army, a divisional general-ranked officer, who leads the service via a centralized command system and many general officers and is appointed and relieved by the Secretary. The Army uses a [modified continental staff system](/source/Staff_(military)#Continental_staff_system) in its headquarters. The [Mexican Air Force](/source/Mexican_Air_Force) is a separate service under the SEDENA. Recruitment of personnel happens from ages 18 through 21 if secondary education was finished, 22 if High school was completed. Recruitment after age 22 is impossible in the regular army; only auxiliary posts are available. As of 2009, starting salary for Mexican army recruits was $6,000 Mexican pesos (US$500) a month with a lifetime $10,000 peso (approximately US$833) monthly pension for widows of soldiers killed in action.[29]

The principal units of the Mexican army are ten infantry brigades and a number of independent regiments and infantry battalions. The main maneuver elements of the army are organized in three corps, each consisting of three to four infantry brigades (plus other units), all based in and around Mexico City and its metropolitan area. Distinct from the brigade formations, independent regiments and battalions are assigned to zonal garrisons (52 in total) in each of the country's 12 military regions. Infantry battalions, composed of approximately 300–350 troops, generally are deployed in each zone, and certain zones are assigned an additional motorized cavalry regiment or an artillery regiment.[30]

### Regional command

Cadets of the [Heroic Military Academy (Mexico)](/source/Heroic_Military_Academy_(Mexico)) with a [golden eagle](/source/Golden_eagle) (September 2004).

Every afternoon, a Mexican Army platoon lowers the monumental flag in Constitution Square or Zócalo.

The territorial organization of the Mexican Army includes twelve Military Regions (*Regiónes militares* (*RM*)). Each RM is commanded by a senior officer in the rank of Divisional General of the General Staff (*General de División Diplomado de Estado Mayor*), a [three-star general](/source/Three-star_rank). Below the military regions are forty-eight Military Zones (*Zónas militares* (*ZM*)).[31] Each ZM is commanded by a senior officer in the rank of Brigade General of the General Staff (*General de Brigada Diplomado de Estado Mayor*), a [two-star general](/source/Two-star_rank). Operational needs determine how many zones are in each region, with corresponding increases and decreases in troop strength. Each commander of the Military Region is appointed and relieved by the Commander of the Army.

Usually on the secretary of defence's recommendation via the office of the Commander, the senior zone commander is also the commander of the military region containing the military zone. A military zone commander has jurisdiction over every unit operating in his territory, including the *[Rurales](/source/Rural_Defense_Corps)* (Rural Defense Force) that occasionally have been a Federal political counterweight to the power of state governors. Zone commanders provide the national defence secretary with socio-political conditions intelligence about rural areas. Moreover, they traditionally have acted in co-ordination with the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) on planning and resources deployment.

Territorial organization of the Mexican Army Military zone HQ Notes First Military Region (I Región militar) HQ in Mexico City Covers the capital Mexico City and the states of Estado de México, Hidalgo and Morelos. 1st Military Zone (1/a. Z.M.) Tacubaya, Mexico City 18th Military Zone (18/a. Z.M.) Pachuca, Hidalgo 22nd Military Zone (22/a. Z.M.) Santa María Rayón, Estado de México 24th Military Zone (24/a. Z.M.) Cuernavaca, Morelos 37th Military Zone (37/a. Z.M.) Santa Lucía, Estado de México Second Military Region (II Región militar) HQ in Mexicali, Baja California Covers the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur and Sonora. 2nd Military Zone (2/a. Z.M.) Tijuana, Baja California 3rd Military Zone (3/a. Z.M.) La Paz, Baja California Sur 4th Military Zone (4/a. Z.M.) Hermosillo, Sonora 40th Military Zone (40/a. Z.M.) Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur 45th Military Zone (45/a. Z.M.) Nogales, Sonora Third Military Region (III Región militar) HQ in Mazatlán, Sinaloa Covers the states of Sinaloa and Durango. 9th Military Zone (9/a. Z.M.) Culiacán, Sinaloa 10th Military Zone (10/a. Z.M.) Durango, Durango Fourth Military Region (IV Región militar) HQ in Monterrey, Nuevo León Covers the states of Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí and Tamaulipas. 7th Military Zone (7/a. Z.M.) Apodaca, Nuevo León 8th Military Zone (8/a. Z.M.) Reynosa, Tamaulipas 12th Military Zone (12/a. Z.M.) San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 48th Military Zone (48/a. Z.M.) Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas Fifth Military Region (V Región militar) HQ in Guadalajara, Jalisco Covers the states of Aguascalientes, Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit and Zacatecas. 11th Military Zone (11/a. Z.M.) Guadalupe, Zacatecas 13th Military Zone (13/a. Z.M.) Tepic, Nayarit 14th Military Zone (14/a. Z.M.) Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 15th Military Zone (15/a. Z.M.) Zapopan, Jalisco 20th Military Zone (20/a. Z.M.) Colima, Colima 41st Military Zone (41/a. Z.M.) Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Sixth Military Region (VI Región militar) HQ in Veracruz, Veracruz Covers the states of Puebla, Tlaxcala and Veracruz. 19th Military Zone (19/a. Z.M.) Tuxpan, Veracruz 23rd Military Zone (23/a. Z.M.) Panotla, Tlaxcala 25th Military Zone (25/a. Z.M.) Puebla, Puebla 26th Military Zone (26/a. Z.M.) Lencero, Veracruz 29th Military Zone (29/a. Z.M.) Minatitlán, Veracruz Seventh Military Region (VII Región militar) HQ in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas Covers the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. 30th Military Zone (30/a. Z.M.) Villahermosa, Tabasco 31st Military Zone (31/a. Z.M.) Rancho Nuevo, Chiapas 36th Military Zone (36/a. Z.M.) Tapachula, Chiapas 38th Military Zone (38/a. Z.M.) Tenosique, Tabasco 39th Military Zone (39/a. Z.M.) Ocosingo, Chiapas Eighth Military Region (VIII Región militar) HQ in Ixcotel, Oaxaca Covers the state of Oaxaca. 28th Military Zone (28/a. Z.M.) Ixcotel, Oaxaca 44th Military Zone (44/a. Z.M.) Miahuatlán, Oaxaca 46th Military Zone (46/a. Z.M.) Ixtepec, Oaxaca Ninth Military Region (IX Región militar) HQ in Chilpancingo, Guerrero Covers the state of Guerrero. 27th Military Zone (27/a. Z.M.) Pie de la Cuesta, Guerrero 35th Military Zone (35/a. Z.M.) Chilpancingo, Guerrero Tenth Military Region (X Región militar) HQ in Mérida, Yucatán Covers the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán. 32nd Military Zone (32/a. Z.M.) Valladolid, Yucatán 33rd Military Zone (33/a. Z.M.) Campeche, Campeche 34th Military Zone (34/a. Z.M.) Chetumal, Quintana Roo Eleventh Military Region (XI Región militar) HQ in Torreón, Coahuila Covers the states of Chihuahua and Coahuila. 5th Military Zone (5/a. Z.M.) Chihuahua, Chihuahua 6th Military Zone (6/a. Z.M.) Saltillo, Coahuila 42nd Military Zone (42/a. Z.M.) Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua 47th Military Zone (47/a. Z.M.) Piedras Negras, Coahuila Twelfth Military Region (XII Región militar) HQ in Irapuato, Guanajuato Covers the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán and Querétaro. 16th Military Zone (16/a. Z.M.) Sarabia, Guanajuato 17th Military Zone (17/a. Z.M.) Querétaro, Querétaro 21st Military Zone (21/a. Z.M.) Morelia, Michoacán 43rd Military Zone (43/a. Z.M.) Apatzingán, Michoacán

The commanding officer of a military zone has as at the least an independent infantry battalion under his jurisdiction, but also takes operational control of units deployed to his MZ area of responsibility. Force strength varies greatly from a single infantry battalion in the 3rd Military Zone covering the relatively peaceful area of Baja California Sur[32] to over 10 infantry battalions, separate infantry companies and motorized cavalry regiments plus additional conventional and SF units on rotation in the 9th Military Zone covering the state of Sinaloa,[33] where government troops are fighting the [eponymous drug cartel](/source/Sinaloa_Cartel).

The **Mexican Air Force**, which is an independent military service under the SEDENA, has its own territorial organization, separate from that of the Mexican Army. It has four air force regions: Northwest (*Región Aérea del Noroeste*, HQ in Hermosillo, Sonora), Northeast (*Región Aérea del Noreste*, HQ in Chihuahua, Chihuahua) Central (*Región Aérea del Centro*, HQ at Santa Lucía AFB, Estado de México) and the Southeast Air Force Region (*Región Aérea del Sureste*, HQ at Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas). Each new commanding officer of an air force region enters the appointment as a Wing General Pilot-Aviator of the Air Force Staff (*General de Ala Piloto Aviador Diplomado de Estado Mayor Aéreo*) - a two-star general and midway through his term he is promoted to a Division General Pilot-Aviator of the Air Force Staff (*General de División Piloto Aviador Diplomado de Estado Mayor Aéreo*) - a three-star general.[34] A similar territorial organization is also implemented in the Mexican Navy with Naval Regions and Naval Zones as counterparts to the army territorial organization.[35]

### Tactical units

Mexican [Paratroopers](/source/Paratroopers) (March 2009)

Separate from the military regions and zones are an increasing number of [brigades](/source/Brigade) and some independent [regiments](/source/Regiment) and infantry [battalions](/source/Battalion). These brigades are grouped into four corps:

- [1st Army Corps](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Army_Corps_(Mexico)&action=edit&redlink=1) (*1er Cuerpo de Ejército* (*ICE*)) – based in and around [Mexico City](/source/Mexico_City) and its metropolitan area. The corps consists of the [1st Armored Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1st_Armored_Brigade_(Mexico)&action=edit&redlink=1), the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Separate Infantry Brigades and the army's sole 1st Combat Engineer Brigade.[36] Additionally 3 armored brigades (2nd, 3rd and 4th) and 3 light infantry brigades (4th, 5th and 6th) are separate from the I Army Corps AOR, but based in the same area close to the capital region, complete the Mexican Army's maneuver formations.

- Special Forces Corps (*[Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales](/source/Cuerpo_de_Fuerzas_Especiales)*) – HQ, training center and the bulk of special forces battalions are based in Temamatla in the [State of Mexico](/source/State_of_Mexico). The corps has 3 SF brigades headquartered in [Puebla](/source/Puebla_(city)), [Puebla](/source/Puebla) (1st), [Tijuana](/source/Tijuana), [Baja California](/source/Baja_California) (2nd) and [Ixtepec](/source/Ixtepec%2C_Oaxaca), [Oaxaca](/source/Oaxaca) (3rd) and the SF battalions are re-assigned between them as per operational requirements.

- Military Police Corps (*[Cuerpo de Policía Militar](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cuerpo_de_Polic%C3%ADa_Militar&action=edit&redlink=1)*) – the corps has previously been used to augment the internal security initiatives of the government in the combat against the drug cartels and military police brigades as well as individual personnel have been transferred in the past to the newly formed (and consequently defunct [Federal Police](/source/Federal_Police_(Mexico)), supplemented by its Gendarmerie Division, also defunct). New MP brigades were later formed to make up for the ones that were transferred. The administration of President [Enrique Peña Nieto](/source/Enrique_Pe%C3%B1a_Nieto) set the ambitious plan for the expansion of the Military Police from 3 to 12 MP brigades - one for each military region.[37] By the end of his term there were ten active military police brigades: - *[1st Military Police Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1st_Military_Police_Brigade_(Mexico)&action=edit&redlink=1) (1/a. Brigada de Policía Militar)* – Campo Militar 1-A, Mexico City - *[2nd Military Police Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2nd_Military_Police_Brigade_(Mexico)&action=edit&redlink=1) (2/a. Brigada de Policía Militar)* – Air Base Nr. 1 - Santa Lucía, Tecámac, State of México[38] - *3/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – El Sauz, Sinaloa[39] - *4/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – General Escobedo, Nuevo León[40] - *5/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – San Miguel de los Jagüeyes, State of México[41] - *6/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – Puebla, Puebla[42] - *7/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas[43] - *10/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – Isla Mujeres Quintana Roo[44] - *11/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – San Pedro de las Colonias Coahuila[45] - *12/a. Brigada de Policía Militar* – Irapuato, Guanajuato[46][47]

Each MP brigade has three line military police battalions (sing.: *Batallón de Policía Militar*) and one special operations military police battalion (Batallón de Operaciones Especiales de Policía Militar, equipped with [Plasan Sand Cat](/source/Plasan_Sand_Cat) tactical armored cars) plus support units. Special Operations MP Bns carry the number of their parent brigade, line MP Bns are numbered in sequence, starting from 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 1st MP Brigade, 4th, 5th and 6th in the 2nd MP Bde etc. up to 34th, 35th and 36th in the 12th Military Police Brigade, with battalion numbers 22nd - 27th retained for the non-active 8th and 9th MP Brigades. The MPC's involvement in the internal security policies is also present with the Federal Police's successor agency - the [National Guard](/source/National_Guard_(Mexico)). In 2020 the NG had a strength of ca. 80,000 personnel.[48] and in 2021 this number has increased to 102,000 with a goal set at 150,000.[49] This rapid increase capitalizes heavily on the resources of the military. According to the Mexican *Instituto Nacional de Transparencia* 31 431 former Army and 6,337 former Navy military police personnel joined the National Guard. Its 8 training centers (*Centros de Adiestramiento*) are located in and rely on the resources of the army military police installations: two (one main and one NCO) training centers are located at the Campo Militar 37-C in San Miguel de los Jagüeyes, Municipality of Huehuetoca, State of México at the base of the 5th Military Police Brigade. The other six training centers are located at the military police bases in Sauz, Sinaloa (3rd MP Bde), San Pedro de las Colonias, Coahuila (11th MP Bde), Apodaca, Nuevo León (4th MP Bde), Puebla (6th MP Bde), Irapuato (12th MP Bde) and Isla Mujeres (10th MP Bde). The main reasoning behind the formation of the National Guard was to reduce the involvement of the military in the [Mexican drug war](/source/Mexican_drug_war), but the implementation has negated that to a great extend with the NG relying heavily on the military for staffing, training,[50] basing and operational control. On the latter point the NG's units are called Battalions Type B (sing.: *Batallón Tipo B*)[51] to distinguish them from the 'regular' infantry and MP battalions of the Mexican Army, all 85 Battalions Type B are based in army bases and are assigned to the 12 military regions of the Army.[52]

- Presidential Guard Corps (*Cuerpo de Guardias Presidenciales*) – the special department of the President's Office, the [Estado Mayor Presidencial](/source/Estado_Mayor_Presidencial) used to command the Army, Air Force and Navy assets tasked with the security, land and air transport and the logistical requirements of the Office. As one of his first political initiatives upon entering the Presidency [Andrés Manuel López Obrador](/source/Andr%C3%A9s_Manuel_L%C3%B3pez_Obrador) has put to vote in the Mexican Senate the disbanding of the EMP. The vote passed and the department was dismantled at the end of 2018. At that time it included 6,026 servicemen and women from the three armed services, organised into: - Staff (Estado Mayor) - Presidential Guard Corps (*Cuerpo de Guardias Presidenciales*) - Headquarters (*Cuartel General*) - 6 presidential guard battalions (*1/er. - 6/o. Batallón de Guardias Presidenciales*) - 1st Transport Battalion (*1/er. Batallón de Transportes*) - 1st Supply Company (*1/a. Compañía de Intendencia'*) - 24th Presidential Guard Marine Infantry Battalion (*24/o. Batallón de Infantería de Marina de Guardias Presidenciales*) - as the single Department of the Navy asset in the EMP and infantry-oriented, the 24/o. BIMGP was attached to the CGP. - 1st Mounted Cavalry Group (*1.er Grupo de Caballería Montado*) - Honor Guard Cavalry Squadron (*Escuadrón de Caballería de Honores*) - Horse Artillery Battery (*Batería Hipómovil*) - 1st Combat Engineer Company (*1/a. Compañía de Ingenieros de Combate*) - Honor Guard Artillery Battery (*Batería de Artillería de Honores*) - Music Band(*Banda de Música*) - General Coordination Department of the Presidential Transport Aircraft (*Coordinación General de Transportes Aéreos Presidenciales*) (a staff department, part of the Staff mentioned above) - Presidential Transport Air Group (*Grupo Aéreo de Transportes Presidenciales*) (since the disbanding of the EMP the *Coordinación General* has been closed down too and the GATP became the 6th Air Group of the Mexican Air Force)

After the closure of the EMP the servicemen and women have lost their special status of personnel distinct from the three services and were integrated back into the Army, Air Force and Navy. Government plans call for the transformation of the Presidential Guard Corps into two military police brigades.[53]

Distinct from the brigade formations are **independent regiments** (all regiments are battalion-sized) and **battalions** assigned to zonal garrisons. Groups are company-sized units. The different types of units of the Mexican Army follow a sequential listing starting from 1. onwards. They include the following:[54]

- 110 infantry battalions (sing.: *Batallón de infantería*) (with more being planned for activation. 110 is the total quantity of infantry battalions assigned to military zones and assigned to brigades)

- 24 separate infantry companies (sing.: *Compañía de infantería no encuadrada*)

- 3 parachute rifle battalions (sing.: *Batallón de fusileros paracaidistas* – 1st *Batallón* is part of the Army, 2nd and 3rd formally belong to the Air Force)

- 25 motorized cavalry regiments (sing.: *Regimiento de caballería motorizado*)

- 9 armored reconnaissance regiments (sing.: *Regimiento blindado de reconocimiento*)

- 8 mechanized regiments (sing.: *Regimiento mecanizado*)

- 9 artillery regiments (sing.: *Regimiento de artillería*)

- 8 mortar group of caliber 81-mm (sing.: *Grupo de morteros de calibre 81-mm*)

- 6 recoil-less rifle groups of caliber 106-mm (sing.: *Grupo de cañones sin retroceso de calibre 106-mm*)

- ? combat engineer battalions (sing.: *Batallón de ingenieros de combate*) (sources, which have reported previously small numbers of the quantity of combat engineer battalions in the Mexican Army are outdated, as official statements by the government report 8 combat engineer battalions deployed from the Mexican Army and Air Force deployed to the states of Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Ciudad de México, Estado de México, Guerrero, Jalisco, Veracruz and Yucatán in the summer of 2021 to deal with the aftermath of torrential rains and hurricanes.[55])

Infantry battalions are small, each of approximately 400 troops, and are generally deployed in each zone. Certain zones are also assigned a light armored cavalry regiment, mechanized infantry regiment or one of the 24 field artillery regiments and 10 field artillery battalions. Smaller detachments are often detailed to patrol more inaccessible areas of the countryside, helping to maintain order and resolve disputes.

Other than the Special Forces and the Military Police Brigades, the Mexican Army includes the following combat brigades:

- armored - four Armored Brigades (sing.: *Brigada blindada*), each composed of two armored reconnaissance regiments, two mechanized regiments and smaller support units. A ninth armored reconnaissance regiment under the Army HQ functions as the training unit. - 1st Armored Brigade (*1/a. Brigada Blindada* – Temamatla (Teotihuacán), State of Mexico (brigade patch shows the formation belongs to the 1st Army Corps (*1/er. Cuerpo de ejército - ICE*)[56]) - 2nd Armored Brigade (*2/a. Brigada Blindada*) - [Querétaro City](/source/Quer%C3%A9taro_City), [Querétaro](/source/Quer%C3%A9taro) (directly subordinated to Army HQ) - 3rd Armored Brigade (*3/a. Brigada Blindada*) - [Puebla (city)](/source/Puebla_(city)), [Puebla](/source/Puebla) (directly subordinated to Army HQ) - 4th Armored Brigade (*4/a. Brigada Blindada*) - Villagrán (Sarabia), Guanajuato (directly subordinated to Army HQ)

- infantry - three separate infantry brigades under 1st Army Corps and three light infantry brigades directly under army HQ. Each brigade has three infantry battalions. The light brigades lack the organic artillery and engineer units of the separate brigades. - 1st Separate Infantry Brigade (*1/a. Brigada de Infantería Independiente*) - Colonia Santa Teresa, State of Mexico - 2nd Separate Infantry Brigade (*2/a. Brigada de Infantería Independiente*) - Campo Militar No.1 - Mexico City - 3rd Separate Infantry Brigade (*3/a. Brigada de Infantería Independiente*) - Campo Militar No.1 - Mexico City - 4th Light Infantry Brigade (*4/a. Brigada de Infantería Ligera*) - Irapuato, Guanajuato - 5th Light Infantry Brigade (*5/a. Brigada de Infantería Ligera*) - Ixcotel, Oaxaca - 6th Light Infantry Brigade (*6/a. Brigada de Infantería Ligera*) - Campo Militar No.1 - Mexico City

- airborne - Parachute Rifle Brigade (*Brigada de Fusileros Paracaidistas*) - Campo Militar No.1 - Mexico City (directly subordinated to Army HQ)

- engineers - 1st Combat Engineer Brigade (*1/a. Brigada de Ingenieros de Combate*) - Campo Militar No.1 - Mexico City (subordinated to the 1st Army Corps)

### Special Forces Corps

The Army has a [Special Forces Corps](/source/Mexican_Special_Forces) unified command with six special forces battalions and a unit within Joint Special Operations Command. These include:

- [Joint Special Operations Command (*FEC*)](/source/Fuerzas_Especiales_del_Alto_Mando) (Formerly Special Reaction Force/Special High Command Force) at Military Camp 1-F, Mexico City

- 1st Special Forces Battalion (Campo Mil. No. 37-B, Temamatla, State of Mexico.)

- 2nd Special Forces Battalion (Campo Mil. No. 37-B, Temamatla, State of Mexico.)

- 3rd Special Forces Battalion (Campo Mil. No. 37-B, Temamatla, State of Mexico.)

- 4th Special Forces Battalion (Campo Mil. No. 37-B, Temamatla, State of Mexico.)

- 5th Special Forces Battalion (Campo Mil. No. 37-B, Temamatla, State of Mexico.)

- 6th Special Forces Battalion (Campo Mil. No. 45-A, Nogales Sonora.)

Fuerza Especial Conjunta (Joint Special Operations Command) or *FEC* consists of the most senior specialized operators of the Special Forces Corps, Air Force and National Guard. These units conduct high impact operations, while *regular* special forces battalions provide support or a light infantry direct action role.

#### Special Operations Forces

Name Headquarters Structure and purpose Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales (Special Forces Corps) Campo Mil. No. 37-B, No. 45-A Light Infantry, Direct Action Fuerza Especial Conjunta (Joint Special Operations Command) Camp 1-F Counter Terrorism

### Estado Mayor Presidencial

Seal of the Estado Mayor Presidencial.

The [Estado Mayor Presidencial](/source/Estado_Mayor_Presidencial) (*Presidential Guard*) was a specific agency of the Mexican Army that is responsible for the safety and well being of the President in the practice of all of the activities of his office. On 24 March 1985 President [Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado](/source/Miguel_de_la_Madrid_Hurtado) reformed the regulation of the presidential guard and published it in the [Official Gazette of the Federation](/source/Official_Gazette_of_the_Federation_(Mexico)) (*Diario Oficial de la Federación*) on 4 April 1986. In this version the responsibilities of this agency included assisting the President in obtaining general information, planning the President's activities under security and preventive measures for his safety. This regulation was in force during the administrations of [Carlos Salinas de Gortari](/source/Carlos_Salinas_de_Gortari) and [Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon](/source/Ernesto_Zedillo_Ponce_de_Leon). On 16 January 2004 during the administration of President [Vicente Fox Quesada](/source/Vicente_Fox_Quesada) a new regulation of the Presidential Guard was issued and published by the Official Gazette of the Federation on 23 January of that same year. This ordinance updated the structure, organization and operation of the Presidential guard as a technical military body and administrative unit of the Presidency to facilitate the implementation of the powers of his office.[57][58]

The EMP was dissolved in 2018 and its military arm, the *Presidential Guards Corps*, has had its command becoming a joint service formation, with its units coming under the collective responsibility of the Secretariats of National Defense, Security, and the Navy, its three Army infantry battalions now converted into military police battalions as part of now two military police brigades under the revived National Guard.

### Paratrooper Corps

- [Brigada de Fusileros Paracaidistas](/source/Brigada_de_Fusileros_Paracaidistas) (*Parachute Rifle Brigade*) is a three-battalion paratrooper unit created in 1969 within the Mexican Army but utilizing aircraft from the Air Force. Its headquarters is in Mexico City and its training takes place in the Centro de Adiestramiento de Paracaidismo (Airborne Training Center). A battalion can be deployed rapidly to any part of the country.

### Rurales

The [Rurales](/source/Rurales_(disambiguation)), officially called the [Cuerpo de Defensa Rural](/source/Cuerpo_de_Defensa_Rural)(Rural Defense Corps), is a part-time militia force whose various units are part of the Military Region they are in. Currently Rural Defence Force members are being utilized in the [Mexican drug war](/source/Mexican_drug_war). This is the case in the State of [Michoacán](/source/Michoac%C3%A1n), where the Government has attempted to restrict civilian [vigilantism](/source/Vigilantism) (such as the creation of [unregulated armed security groups](/source/Grupos_de_autodefensa_comunitaria)) by deploying rurales against local drug cartels.[59][60]

## Ranks

Main article: [Military ranks of Mexico](/source/Military_ranks_of_Mexico)

### Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of [commissioned officers](/source/Commissioned_officer).

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Mexican Army[61] v t e Secretario de la defensa nacional General de división General de brigada General brigadier Coronel Teniente coronel Mayor Capitan primero Capitán segundo Teniente Subteniente

### Other ranks

The rank insignia of [non-commissioned officers](/source/Non-commissioned_officer) and [enlisted personnel](/source/Enlisted_rank).

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted Mexican Army[61] v t e Sargento primero Sargento segundo Cabo Soldado

## Military industry

Mexican Army band playing

A Mexican Army [Mi-26](/source/Mi-26) heavy transport helicopter

A Mexican army Humvee on 16 September 2007 parade

Since the start of the 21st century, the Army has been steadily modernising to become competitive with the armies of other American countries[62] and have also taken certain steps to decrease spending and dependency on foreign equipment in order to become more autonomous such as the domestic production of the [FX-05](/source/FX-05) rifle designed in Mexico and the commitment to researching, designing and manufacturing domestic military systems such as military electronics and body armor.[63]

The Mexican military counts on three of the following departments to fulfill the general tasks of the Army and [Air Force](/source/Mexican_Air_Force):[64]

- *Dirección General de Industria Militar* (D.G.I.M.) – In charge of the designing, manufacturing and maintenance of vehicles and weapons, such as the assembly of the [FX-05 assault rifle](/source/FX-05) and the [DN series armored vehicles](/source/DINA_S.A.). On 19 July 2009, [SEDENA](/source/SEDENA) spent 488 million pesos ($37 million U.S.) to transfer technology to manufacture the [G36V](/source/Heckler_%26_Koch_G36) German made rifle. Although it is not known if this will be manufactured as a cheaper alternative to the FX-05 meant for the army or if it is to be manufactured for military police and other law enforcement agencies such as the [Federal Police](/source/Federal_Police_(Mexico)). The FX-05 is planned to become the new standard rifle for the armed forces replacing the [Heckler & Koch G3](/source/Heckler_%26_Koch_G3), so it is not yet clear what the [G-36](/source/Heckler_%26_Koch_G36) rifles will be used for.[65] As of 2011, D.G.I.M. is in charge of assembling the Oshkosh SandCat, the modified Mexican Army version of the Sandcat is named as the DN-XI and will be presented in the Mexican Independence Day parade in September 2012.[66][67]

- *Dirección General de Fábricas de Vestuario y Equipo* (D.G.FA.V.T.) (General Directorate of Clothing and Equipment Manufacturing) – Since its creation, the department has grown from a simple clothing factory to an Industrial complex in charge of the supply and design of the Army/Air Force's uniform, shoes/boots, combat helmet and [ballistic vest](/source/Ballistic_vest). Until the mid-2000s, the Mexican army's standard combat uniform color was olive green. The army then switched to all [woodland camouflage](/source/US_Woodland) and [Desert Camouflage Uniform](/source/Desert_Camouflage_Uniform). In July 2008, the D.G.FA.V.E. announced plans for creating the country's first digital uniforms, which would consist of Woodland/jungle and Desert camouflage; these uniforms entered service in 2009.[68]

- *Granjas Militares* (Military farms) – In charge of [Agriculture](/source/Agriculture); crop cultivation is a necessity to maintain the health and economy of the Army/Air Force. The Mexican Army has four established SEDENA farms:[69] - Granja SEDENA number 1 ([San Juan del Río](/source/San_Juan_del_R%C3%ADo), [Querétaro](/source/Quer%C3%A9taro)). - Granja SEDENA number 2 ([Ixtepec, Oaxaca](/source/Ixtepec%2C_Oaxaca)). - Granja SEDENA number 3 (Sarabia, [Guanajuato](/source/Guanajuato)). - Granja SEDENA number 4 ([La Fuente](/source/Rinc%C3%B3n_de_Romos), [Aguascalientes](/source/Aguascalientes)).

## Equipment

New Mexican army uniform (“Trans Jungle” woodland camouflage pattern)

### Vehicles

Mexican Army ERC 90 F1 Lynx during the Independence day Parade

VCR-TT 6X6 APC on Madero Street in downtown Mexico City after Independence Day celebrations

Mexican cavalry

Mexican Army vehicle inventory Vehicle/system Type Versions Origin Quantity Armored fighting vehicles Panhard ERC 90 Reconnaissance vehicle ERC 90 F1 Lynx, Armed with 90 mm F1 cannon France 120 in active service (105 to be upgraded)[70] DN-V Bufalo Self-propelled artillery Armed with 75 mm M8 howitzer Mexico Unknown quantity in active service DN mortar carrier Mortar carrier Armed with 81 mm mortar Mexico Unknown quantity in active service M8 Greyhound Armoured car Small numbers modernized with a 20 mm cannon installed United States Less than 10 in active service, all modernized DN-IV Caballo Reconnaissance vehicle Armed with 20 mm automatic cannon Mexico Very few in active service DN-3 Reconnaissance vehicle Armed with .50cal Browning MG Mexico Very few in active service DN-V Toro Reconnaissance vehicle Armed with 20 mm automatic Mexico 340 in active service Max Mex-1 Armoured car Armed With 20 mm automatic cannon United States Mexico Around 50–55 in active service Sedena 8x8 vehicle Infantry fighting vehicle Armed with possibly a 40 mm cannon, of unknown type Mexico 1 prototype in active service, possible in production. Sedena-Henschel HWK -13 Infantry fighting vehicle HWK-13 (IFV) Armed with 20 mm automatic cannon Mexico West Germany Only one built in 1980 Sedena-Henschel HWK-11 Armored personnel carrier HWK-11 (APC Version) Armed With one 7.62 mm machine gun, all modernized Mexico West Germany 52 in active service (including 12 delivered from Germany in 1964) AMX-VCI Armored personnel carrier DNC-1: upgraded by SEDENA armed with 20 mm cannon France Upgraded by Mexico 409 in active service Panhard VCR[71] Armored personnel carrier VCR-TT, Armed with M2 Browning 12.7 mm machine gun France 46 in active service DNC-2 Armored personnel carrier Armed with one 7.62 mm machine gun Mexico Unknown quantity in active service, still in production. El Cimarron Armored personnel carrier Armed with M2 Browning 12.7 mm machine gun Mexico Unknown quantity in active service, but in production Véhicule Blindé Léger Scout car VBL MILAN France 40 in active service Oshkosh Sand Cat[72] Light armored vehicle Sand Cat – 245 Sandcats were delivered and have Type IV level Armored protection[73] Israel United States 245 in active service DN-XI Light armored vehicle The DN-XI is a Mexican designed armored van based on a Ford truck chassis. 100 on order.[74] 1,000 to be acquired by 2018. Armed with M2 Browning 12.7 mm machine gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.[75] Mexico 1,000+ in active service still in production DN-VI Reconnaissance vehicle Armed with one 7.62 mm machine gun Mexico Unknown, but few in active service Humvee[76] Military light utility vehicle/armoured car HMMWV Armored Car Versions are armed with single M2 Browning 12.7 mm machine gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. United States 3,335 order in 2014 + 2,200 order more in 2016. 5,535 in active service (including light utility and armored car versions) Infantry transport vehicles Chevrolet Silverado Pickup truck GMT900 United States Mexico In service Ford F-Series Pickup truck F-150 United States Mexico In service Dodge Ram Pickup truck Variants of 4x4 and 6x6 United States In service Yamaha Rhino Utility terrain vehicle Rhino Japan In service Chevrolet Cheyenne Pickup truck GMT K2XX United States In service Trucks M520 Goer Heavy tactical truck M520 United States In service Freightliner Trucks Truck M2 United States In service M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck Military truck M35 United States In service DINA S.A. Trucks S-Series / D-Series Mexico In service Mercedes-Benz Truck L-Series Germany In service Chevrolet Truck Kodiak United States In service Freightliner Trucks Satellite communications truck Intelligence United States In service

### Infantry weapons

FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Serpent) assault rifle

G3A3 battle rifle

MP5

P7M13

PSG1

Inventory Name Caliber Type Origin Heckler & Koch G3 7.62×51 mm NATO Battle rifle. Made under license from Heckler & Koch, being replaced by the FX-05 Xiuhcoatl Rifle West Germany FX-05 Xiuhcoatl 5.56×45 mm NATO Assault rifle, Carbine, short-carbine rifle and light machine gun depending on version, this rifle is the standard Mexican Army service rifle. Mexico Heckler & Koch HK33 5.56×45 mm NATO Assault rifle. Made under license from Heckler & Koch West Germany M4 carbine 5.56×45 mm NATO Assault rifle and carbine rifle United States Heckler & Koch MP5 9×19 mm Parabellum Submachine gun. Made under license from Heckler & Koch West Germany FN P90 5.7×28 mm Personal defence weapon[77] Belgium Mendoza HM-3 9×19 mm Parabellum and .380 ACP Submachine gun, made and designed in Mexico by Productos Mendoza. Mexico M1911 .45 ACP Semi-automatic pistol United States Mexico Heckler & Koch P7 9×19 mm Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol. Made under license from Heckler & Koch Germany SIG Sauer P226 9×19 mm Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol West Germany Switzerland Beretta 92FS 9×19 mm Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol Italy FN Five-seveN 5.7×28 mm Semi-automatic pistol Belgium HK PSG1 Morelos Bicentenario 7.62×51 mm NATO Sniper rifle. Made under license from Heckler & Koch West Germany Germany Barrett M82 .50 BMG Anti-material rifle Australia United States M249 5.56×45 mm NATO Light machine gun Belgium United States FN Minimi 5.56×45 mm NATO Light machine gun Belgium Heckler & Koch HK21 7.62×51 mm NATO General-purpose machine gun. Made under license from Heckler & Koch West Germany Germany Rheinmetall MG 3 7.62×51 mm NATO General-purpose machine gun. Made under license from Rheinmetall West Germany Germany M2 Browning machine gun .50 BMG Heavy machine gun United States M-134 minigun 7.62×51 mm NATO Rotary machinegun United States Mk 19 40×53 mm Automatic grenade launcher United States Milkor MGL 40×46 mm Grenade launcher South Africa South Africa M203 grenade launcher 40×46 mm Grenade launcher United States Heckler & Koch AG-C/GLM 40×46 mm Grenade launcher Germany M67 grenade 64 mm Hand grenade United States Mondragón F-08 7×57 mm Mauser Semi-automatic rifle used for ceremonial occasions, now being retired Mexico Winchester Model 54 7.62×51 mm Bolt-action rifle used for ceremonial occasions United States CornerShot Weapon accessory Israel United States Remington 870 12 gauge Gauge pump-action shotgun used by Army police United States

### Artillery

Name Type Versions Origin Status Self-propelled artillery SDN Humvee Tank destroyer mounted on Humvee chassis 106 mm Mexico In service Artillery M101 Howitzer Towed howitzer 105 mm United States In service OTO Melara Mod 56 Howitzer Towed howitzer 105 mm Italy In service M90 Norinco Towed howitzer 105 mm China In service M-56 Towed Howitzer 105 mm Yugoslavia In service M198 Howitzer Towed howitzer 155 mm United States In service TRF1 Towed howitzer 155 mm France In service M114 Towed howitzer 155 mm United States In service M8 howitzer Self-propelled howitzer 75 mm United States Mexico In service Mortier 120 mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 Heavy mortar 120 mm France In service Soltam K6 Heavy mortar 120mm Israel In service M30 mortar Heavy mortar 106mm United States In service M29 mortar Medium mortar 81mm United States In service M1 mortar Medium mortar 81mm United States In service Mortero 81 Medium mortar 81mm Mexico In service Brandt 60 mm LR Gun-mortar Light mortar 60mm France In service M2 mortar Light mortar 60mm United States In service M19 Light mortar 60mm United States In service Mortero 60 Light mortar 60mm Mexico In service Bofors L70 Anti aircraft autocannon 40mm Sweden In service Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon Anti aircraft autocannon 35mm Switzerland In service 2A45 Sprut Anti-tank gun 125mm Soviet Union Russian Federation In service

### Anti-armor weapons

RPG-29 Rocket propelled grenade

MILAN

Name Type Versions Origin Information Anti-tank weapons Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle Multi-role recoilless rifle 84 mm Sweden In service RPG-7 Anti-tank rocket Depends on Warhead Soviet Union Russia In service SMAW Anti-tank rocket 105 mm United States In service RPG-29 Anti-tank rocket 105 mm Soviet Union Russia Mexico Locally produced in Mexico by Sedena, in service Anti-armor recoilless rifles M40 106 mm recoilless rifle Recoilless rifle 106 mm United States Mounted on Humvees, in service Anti-tank guided missiles MILAN Anti-tank guided missile France Mounted on VBL vehicles, in service

## See also

- [Mexican Navy](/source/Mexican_Navy)

- [Mexican Air Force](/source/Mexican_Air_Force)

## Further reading

### Colonial era

- Archer, Christon I. *The Army in Bourbon Mexico, 1760–1810*. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press 1977.

- Archer, Christon I. "The Officer Corps in New Spain: the Martial Career, 1759–1821." *Jahrbuch für Geschicte von Staat, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Lateinamerikas* 19 (1982).

- McAlister, Lyle. *The "Fuero Militar" in New Spain, 1764–1800.* Gainesville: University of Florida Press 1957.

### Post-Independence

- Camp, Roderic Ai. *Generals in the Palacio: The Military in Modern Mexico*. New York: Oxford University Press 1992.

- Díaz Díaz, Fernando. *Caudillos y caciques: Antonio López de Santa Anna y Juan Alvarez*. Mexico City: El Colegio de México 1972.

- Fowler, Will. *Military Political Identity and Reformism in Independent Mexico: An Analysis of the Memorias de Guerra (1821–1855)*. London: Institute of Latin American Studies 1996.

- Lieuwen, Edwin. *Mexican Militarism: The Political Rise and Fall of the Revolutionary Army*. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press 1968.

Neufeld, Stephen B. *The Blood Contingent: The Military and the Making of Modern Mexico, 1876–1911*. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press 2017.

- Ronfeldt, David, editor. *The Modern Mexican Military: A Reassessment*. La Jolla: Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, University of California San Diego 1984.

- Serrano, Mónica. "The Armed Branch of the State: Civil-Military Relations in Mexico," *Journal of Latin American Studies* 27 (1995)

- Vanderwood, Paul. *Disorder and Progress: Bandits, Police, and Mexican Development*. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press 1981.

- Wager, J. Stephen. *The Mexican Military: Approaches to the 21st Century: Coping with a New World Order*. Carlisle PA: Strategic Studies Institute: U.S. Army War College 1994.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [19 de febrero.- Día del Ejército Mexicano.](http://redescolar.ilce.edu.mx/redescolar/efemerides/febrero/conme19b.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100301111920/http://redescolar.ilce.edu.mx/redescolar/efemerides/febrero/conme19b.htm) 1 March 2010 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (in Spanish)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Sola, Bertha. ["Día de los Niños Héroes](http://www.esmas.com/ninos/tareas/historia/subtemas/320062.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100121085509/http://www.esmas.com/ninos/tareas/historia/subtemas/320062.html) 21 January 2010 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (in Spanish). [esmas.com](/source/Esmas.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Pohl, John M. D. (1991). [*Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies*](https://archive.org/details/aztecmixtexzapot00pohl). Bloomsbury USA. p. [9](https://archive.org/details/aztecmixtexzapot00pohl/page/n9). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85532-159-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85532-159-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Los Origenes"](http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php?id=82) (in Spanish). Secretaria De La Defensa Nacional. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070513122439/http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php?id=82) from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Bueno, Jose Maria (1983). *Tropas Virreynales (1) Nueva Espana, Yucatan Y Luisiana*. Jose Maria Bueno. pp. 62–63. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [84-398-0086-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/84-398-0086-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Chartrand, Rene (2011). [*The Spanish Army in North America 1700-1793*](https://archive.org/details/spanisharmynorth00char). Bloomsbury USA. p. [11](https://archive.org/details/spanisharmynorth00char/page/n44). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84908-597-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84908-597-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Bueno, Jose Maria (1983). *Tropas Virreynales (1) Nueva Espana, Yucatan Y Luisiana*. Jose Maria Bueno. pp. 35 & 38. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [84-398-0086-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/84-398-0086-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Michele Cunningham, *Mexico and the Foreign Policy of Napoleon III* (2001)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Rene Chartrand, page 9, "The Mexican Adventure 1861–67, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1 85532 430 X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1_85532_430_X)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Chartrand, Rene (1994). [*The Mexican Adventure 1861-67*](https://archive.org/details/mexicanadventure00char). Bloomsbury USA. pp. [18](https://archive.org/details/mexicanadventure00char/page/n18) and 23. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85532-430-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85532-430-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Rene Chartrand, page 11, "The Mexican Adventure 1861–67, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1 85532 430 X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1_85532_430_X)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-knight1986_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-knight1986_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-knight1986_12-2) Knight, Alan (1986). [*The Mexican Revolution Volume 1*](https://archive.org/details/mexicanrevolutio0000knig/page/18). U of Nebraska Press. p. [18](https://archive.org/details/mexicanrevolutio0000knig/page/18). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8032-7770-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8032-7770-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Meyer, Michael C. (2000). [*The Oxford History of Mexico*](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195112283). Oxford University Press, USA. pp. [409–410](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195112283/page/409). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-511228-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-511228-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** John Keegan, pages 470–471, "World Armies", [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-333-17236-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-333-17236-1)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** By 1910 the average Federal army general was aged in his 70s.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Meyer, Michael C. (2000). [*The Oxford History of Mexico*](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195112283). Oxford University Press, USA. pp. [405–406](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195112283/page/405). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-511228-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-511228-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Knight, Alan (1986). [*The Mexican Revolution Volume 1*](https://archive.org/details/mexicanrevolutio0000knig/page/17). U of Nebraska Press. p. [17](https://archive.org/details/mexicanrevolutio0000knig/page/17). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8032-7770-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8032-7770-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** P. Jowett & A. de Quesada, pages 27–28 ""The Mexican Revolution 1910–20, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1 84176 989 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1_84176_989_4)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Knight, Alan (1986). [*The Mexican Revolution Volume 1*](https://archive.org/details/mexicanrevolutio0000knig/page/18). U of Nebraska Press. pp. [18–19](https://archive.org/details/mexicanrevolutio0000knig/page/18). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8032-7770-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8032-7770-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Meyer, Michael C. (2000). [*The Oxford History of Mexico*](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195112283). Oxford University Press, USA. pp. [450–451](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195112283/page/450). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-511228-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-511228-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** English, Adrian J. (1984). *Armed Forces of Latin America*. Jane's. p. 308. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7106-0321-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7106-0321-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** English, Adrian J. (1984). *Armed Forces of Latin America*. Jane's. p. 309. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7106-0321-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7106-0321-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** English, Adrian J. (1984). *Armed Forces of Latin America*. Jane's. pp. 308–309. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7106-0321-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7106-0321-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** John Keegan, page 471 "World Armies", [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-333-17236-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-333-17236-1)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Mexican government sends 6,500 to state scarred by drug violence"](http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/11/america/LA_GEN_Mexico_Drug_Violence.php). *International Herald Tribune*. 11 December 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090307044950/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/11/america/LA_GEN_Mexico_Drug_Violence.php) from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Tuckman, Jo (3 June 2015). ["Mexican soldiers ordered to kill in Tlatlaya, claim rights activists"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/03/mexican-soldiers-ordered-to-kill-in-san-pedro-limon-claim-rights-activists/). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 1 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** MiTEC (19 March 2010). ["Account of a Tragedy"](https://tec.mx/en/monterrey-campus/account-of-a-tragedy?srsltid=AfmBOorbdrssteEoZhUdfAwidMx3_DPt2T4FL1n04oUJkE7VRfkU6Pa8/). *ITESM*. Retrieved 1 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Falko, Ernst (10 February 2018). ["'The training stays with you': the elite Mexican soldiers recruited by cartels"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/10/mexico-drug-cartels-soldiers-military/). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 19 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Mexican Military Gets an Upgrade in Pay and Combat Support – Mexico | News | Travel | Culture | Economy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110307180616/http://www.mexico.vg/mexicos-armed-forces/mexican-military-gets-an-upgrade-in-pay-and-combat-support/2917). Archived from [the original](http://www.mexico.vg/mexicos-armed-forces/mexican-military-gets-an-upgrade-in-pay-and-combat-support/2917) on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Mexico"](http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Mexico.pdf) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100807185340/http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Mexico.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 7 August 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Mexican military zones"](https://www.gob.mx/sedena/acciones-y-programas/zonas-militares). *Official government portal*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["3 Zona Militar - WhoWasInCommand"](https://whowasincommand.com/en/organization/view/75402ad9-6133-4ca4-a9ac-55e87ddb266d/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["9 Zona Militar - WhoWasInCommand"](https://whowasincommand.com/en/organization/view/da5e5a89-37cd-47b5-ad26-6f2b25f260b8/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Mexican Air Force Regions"](https://www.gob.mx/sedena/acciones-y-programas/regiones-aereas). *Official government portal*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Naval Commands Directory"](https://www.gob.mx/semar/documentos/directorio-de-mandos-navales). *Official government portal*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["Lista de Batallones de Infantería en México - Página 2"](https://todopormexico.foroactivo.com/t2949p25-lista-de-batallones-de-infanteria-en-mexico).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Lanzagranadas para la Policía Militar del Ejército mexicano"](https://www.defensa.com/mexico/lanzagranadas-para-policia-militar-ejercito-mexicano). *Defensa.com* (in Spanish). 9 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["La Jornada: Policía Militar aprende derechos humanos; será Guardia Nacional"](https://www.jornada.com.mx/2019/04/28/politica/006n1pol). 28 April 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["Peña Nieto inaugura la Base Militar el Sauz"](https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/pena-nieto-inaugura-la-base-militar-el-sauz/1281177). 28 November 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Llega nuevo mando castrense a la Cuarta Región Militar | Gobierno del Estado de Nuevo León"](https://www.nl.gob.mx/noticias/llega-nuevo-mando-castrense-la-cuarta-region-militar).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** ["Sedena cumple el sueño de una niña"](https://www.elsoldetoluca.com.mx/local/sedena-cumple-el-sueno-de-una-nina-3823242.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Realizan nuevos nombramientos en la 25 Zona Militar - Noticias de Hoy Puebla | Contraparte | Periodismo en Equilibrio |"](https://contraparte.mx/ciudad/33942-realizan-nuevos-nombramientos-en-la-25-zona-militar.html).

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## External links

- [Photos of the Mexican Army, National Marine and Air Force](http://rtvmodeler.com/MEX/tierra/global.htm)

- [Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional – Fabrica de armas y equipos](https://www.gob.mx/sedena)

- [Inventario 2006](https://web.archive.org/web/20061021192617/http://www.saorbats.com.ar/articulos/orbatMexico2006.pdf)

- [Mexican Army Photos](https://web.archive.org/web/20090605032737/http://ejercito-mexicano.net/fotos/main.php?g2_itemId=36)

- [Latin American Light Weapons National Inventories](https://fas.org/asmp/campaigns/smallarms/lainven.html)

- [Military Territorial Division](http://www.sedena.gob.mx/imagenes/mapas/map_reg.htm)

- [Mexican Army Oshkosh Sandcat](https://imgur.com/yFQie-Mexican-Army-OshKosh-Sandcat)

v t e Mexican drug war (2006–present) Timeline Federal forces Mexican Army Mexican Air Force Mexican Navy Fuerzas Especiales (special forces) Policía Federal Ministerial SEIDO (organized crime investigation) Federal Police National Guard Beltrán-Leyva Cartel Disbanded in 2010 Armed wings Los Mazatlecos South Pacific Cartel Founders Arturo Beltrán Leyva† Alfredo Beltrán Leyva* Carlos Beltrán Leyva* Edgar Valdez Villarreal* Sergio Villarreal Barragán* Héctor Beltrán Leyva† Leaders Héctor Beltrán Leyva† Fausto Isidro Meza Flores La Familia Cartel Founders Nazario Moreno González† Carlos Rosales Mendoza† Arnoldo Rueda Medina* Dionisio Loya Plancarte* Rafael Cedeño Hernández* Alberto Espinoza Barrón* Enrique Plancarte Solís* José de Jesús Méndez Vargas* Servando Gómez Martínez* Gulf Cartel Factions Los Metros Los Rojos Founders Juan Nepomuceno Guerra† Juan García Abrego* Leaders Óscar Malherbe de León* Osiel Cárdenas Guillén* Antonio Cárdenas Guillén† Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez* Mario Ramírez Treviño† Homero Cárdenas Guillén† Juárez Cartel Armed wings La Línea Founders Rafael Aguilar Guajardo† Pablo Acosta Villarreal† Amado Carrillo Fuentes† Leaders Vicente Carrillo Fuentes* Juan Pablo Ledezma Knights Templar Cartel Armed wings La Resistencia Founders Enrique Plancarte Solís† Servando Gómez Martínez* Leaders Enrique Plancarte Solís† Servando Gómez Martínez* Nazario Moreno González† Sinaloa Cartel Armed wings Gente Nueva Jalisco New Generation Cartel Los Ántrax Artistas Asesinos Founders Héctor Luis Palma Salazar* Adrián Gómez González† Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán* manhunt Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García Leaders Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán* Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García Juan José Esparragoza Moreno† Ignacio Coronel Villarreal† Tijuana Cartel Founders Ramón Arellano Félix† Benjamín Arellano Félix* Francisco Rafael Arellano Félix† Carlos Arellano Félix Eduardo Arellano Félix* Francisco Javier Arellano Félix* Leaders Enedina Arellano Félix Luis Fernando Sánchez Arellano* Edgardo Leyva Escandón Los Zetas Founders Arturo Guzmán Decena† Jaime González Durán* Jesús Enrique Rejón Aguilar* Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano† Galindo Mellado Cruz† Leaders Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano† Miguel Treviño Morales* Omar Treviño Morales* Jalisco New Generation Cartel Founders Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes† Érick Valencia Salazar Abigael González Valencia* Martín Arzola Ortega† Leaders Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes† Jorge Luis Mendoza Cárdenas Érick Valencia Salazar Martín Arzola Ortega† Rubén Oseguera González* Abigael González Valencia* Antonio Oseguera Cervantes* Elvis González Valencia* Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez* Gerardo González Valencia* José González Valencia* Rosalinda González Valencia* Other cartels, drug lords, and corrupt officials Other cartels Independent Acapulco Caborca Colima Guadalajara Los Negros Los Rojos Los Viagras Milenio Noreste Nueva Plaza Oaxaca Santa Rosa de Lima Sonora Early drug lords Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo* Rafael Caro Quintero Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo* Héctor Luis Palma Salazar* Jesús Amezcua Contreras† Pedro Avilés Pérez† Juan Nepomuceno Guerra† Juan García Ábrego* Corrupt officials Miguel Nazar Haro† José de Jesús Gutiérrez Rebollo† Arturo Durazo Moreno† Noé Ramírez Mandujano* Raúl Salinas de Gortari* Genaro García Luna Julio César Godoy Toscano Tomás Yarrington* Projects and operations Projects Coronado Delirium Gunrunner Shadowfire Southern Tempest Wildfire Operations Baja California Bishop Black Swan Blue Storm Chihuahua Community Shield Coyote Culiacán Diablo Express Escorpión Fast and Furious Jalisco Jump Start Kruz Control Lince Norte Michoacán Mongoose Azteca Nuevo León-Tamaulipas Phalanx Quintana Roo Sinaloa Solare Terminus Wide Receiver Xcellerator Naval operations of the Mexican drug war Deaths and massacres Deaths Politicians killed Journalists and media workers killed Other occupations Kiki Camarena Rodolfo Torre Cantú Édgar Eusebio Millán Gómez Jaime Zapata Massacres Juárez rehab center Villas de Salvárcar Chihuauha Nuevo León Guerrero 2010 San Fernando 2011 San Fernando 2011 Durango Coahuila 2011 Monterrey Altamira Apodaca 2012 Nuevo Laredo Cadereyta Jiménez 2014 Iguala San Sebastián Topo Chico Salamanca Minatitlán Uruapan Coatzacoalcos LeBarón & Langford Cieneguillas 2020 Irapuato Camargo Coatepec Harinas ambush [es] Las Tinajas Celaya Juárez prison Tlajomulco de Zúñiga Salvatierra 2025 Irapuato Books and related topics Books Cartel: The Coming Invasion of Mexico's Drug Wars El Narco: Inside Mexico's Criminal Insurgency The Fight to Save Juárez Other topics 2015 Amado checkpoint protest 2018 Chimney Canyon shootout Blog del Narco CIA drug trafficking allegations Jalisco extermination camp Juárez house of death Most-wanted Mexican drug lords Narcoculture in Mexico Narco-submarine Narco tank Piracy on Falcon Lake Propaganda War on drugs Women in the Mexican drug war List of cartels * Arrested † Dead

v t e Armies of the Americas Sovereign states Argentina Bolivia Brazil Canada Chile Colombia Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Haiti Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Paraguay Peru United States Uruguay Venezuela Dependencies and other territories Falkland Islands French Guiana Greenland Guadeloupe Martinique Puerto Rico Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin, (Collectivity of)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mexican Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Army) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Army?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.