Since its establishment, the Mexican Special Forces (Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales) has occupied an important position among the ranks of special forces around the world. The force's history dates back to 1986, when it was established under the name Fuerza de Intervención Rápida (Rapid Intervention Force) to ensure security during the World Cup in Mexico City. Over time, the force has undergone several name changes and organizational reorganizations and has now developed into a modern special forces force consisting of six conventional battalions and several secret units.
"Todo por México" (Everything for Mexico) is the motto of this special forces unit, which not only reflects their mission but also symbolizes their determination to protect national security.
Throughout its history, Mexican special forces have carried out many important operations, especially in the fight against drug trafficking gangs. These forces have played an important role in combating large-scale criminal organizations such as the Tijuana Cartel and the Gulf Cartel. The special forces have successfully captured several drug leaders in many important operations, demonstrating their strong execution and combat capabilities.
Mexican special forces soldiers receive professional training from a variety of international special forces, including the French GIGN, the Israeli Sayeret and the US Green Berets. These trainings not only improve their combat skills, but also enhance their ability to respond in counter-terrorism operations and urban warfare. The basic training course for special forces lasts for six months and covers various combat scenarios, from jungles, cities to mountains and deserts, so that the quality and skills of special forces soldiers are comprehensively improved.
"Special Forces training is not only about improving physical strength and combat skills, but also about honing and evaluating psychological qualities."
The training center is located at the foot of the Iztaccíhuatl volcano, which makes it an ideal location for a variety of training. From multi-faceted combat capabilities at sea, on land, and in the air, to the acquisition of specialized professional skills, these elite forces are able to execute orders in almost any environment.
The Mexican special forces have a strict organizational structure and are divided into six special battalions according to their size and combat needs, and are affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense. In addition, the force also has four special units that are unknown to the outside world. The specific tasks and operations of these units are always kept highly confidential. This means that the outside world's knowledge of Mexico's special forces is quite limited, with only some specific missions and achievements being made public.
Although a series of successful operations have earned the Mexican special forces a good reputation, there are also many controversies in its history. During the EZLN rebellion in 1994, special forces were quickly dispatched to suppress the rebels, but the way they handled the rebels attracted widespread attention and criticism from the public. In addition, there are reports that some GAFE members later defected and joined the criminal organization Los Zetas, which cast a shadow on the force that was originally responsible for protecting the country and the people.
"Between the roles of protecting the country and facing internal challenges, special forces are under tremendous pressure and moral tests."
In their fight against organized crime and to protect national security, special forces not only have to face external challenges, but also have to deal with internal problems and responsibilities. This makes their task more difficult and complicated.
Mexican special forces are equipped with a variety of modern weapons and vehicles, including Black Hawk helicopters, assault rifles, sniper rifles and anti-tank weapons. These highly efficient equipment allow them to maintain their advantage when performing missions in a variety of environments.
"In combat, the selection and use of equipment is directly related to the success of the mission."
Despite ongoing modernization, special forces still face many challenges, particularly in combating drug smuggling and amplifying domestic security threats. Can the actions and presence of these special units bring a little stability to the country amidst the ongoing violence and chaos?