Politics: The drive toward increasing militarization and the risks posed to democracy
The national political environment has deteriorated considerably since the beginning of September, when Congress approved unconstitutional bills designed to formally shift control over the National Guard to the Ministry of Defense. The military is increasingly in command of activities traditionally reserved for federal public administration, such as public works construction; the management of customs, airports and seaports; and the distribution of essential goods such as medicine and fuels; while also managing companies dedicated to tourism and communications. All of this is to the detriment of both the police and civil authorities. And the military clearly appears determined to expand its grasp, including recent talk of launching a commercial airline of its own even as the heads of the branches of the armed forces have grown adamant about not explaining any of their actions to civil authorities.
This month the minister of defense refused to appear before the Chamber of Deputies, while he and the other heads of the various branches of the military only showed up before the Senate after being assured by the Morena majority that they would not have to speak or respond to any questions from senators. Critics see these unprecedented actions as a very serious sign of the military's growing arrogance, as well as another worrying indication of the military's increasing opacity and refusal to be accountable to elected representatives.
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