Mexican Government Documents Over 500,000 Displacements Due to Violence

Why it matters locally: While no direct impact is immediately evident, a significant increase in forced displacement in Mexico could, over time, affect border communities and resource allocation in New Mexico due to potential migration flows.

Mexico's government has for the first time released comprehensive data on the internal displacement of households due to violence. The figures indicate that more than 500,000 households relocated between 2018 and 2023. Historically, civil society groups compiled information to track internal displacement within Mexico. The government had not previously provided a nationwide overview of the issue. Officials now offer a detailed account of these movements. This new government data covers a five-year period, identifying specific instances where violence prompted families to abandon their residences. The information provides a national perspective on a phenomenon previously documented primarily through independent research.