Mexican security forces conducted a massive simulation to combat "narcoblockades" at key road entrances to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta [1].
These exercises are critical for the state of Jalisco as criminal groups frequently use vehicle blockades to obstruct highways and isolate cities during high-impact incidents. Improving the speed and coordination of the response can reduce the window of chaos during such events.
More than 600 personnel from municipal, state, and federal corporations participated in the drill [1]. The exercise was organized under the coordination of the General Strategic Security Coordinator of Jalisco. The simulation focused on seven different road entry points [3].
According to the General Strategic Security Coordinator of Jalisco, the objective is to measure reaction times and refine coordination between the three levels of government [2]. The drill recorded reaction times ranging from 10 to 32 minutes [2].
"More than 600 elements of various corporations from the three levels of government participated in the simulation of high-impact events in Jalisco convened by the state authority," a spokesperson for the Jalisco state authority said [1].
The simulation, which took place on July 13, 2024 [1], concluded with no injuries or negative incidents reported. Authorities intend to use the data gathered from these reaction times to prepare for future operational rehearsals, and improve the efficiency of security deployments across the region.
“The objective is to measure the reaction times and refine the coordination between the three levels of government.”
The focus on 'narcoblockades' highlights a specific tactical challenge in Jalisco, where organized crime uses urban infrastructure as a weapon to hinder military and police movement. By quantifying reaction times across seven strategic entry points, the government is attempting to move from a reactive posture to a standardized operational protocol, aiming to minimize the time cities remain paralyzed during criminal incursions.
