Navy Special Forces celebrate 25 years of service

Review of regulations after fatal cases

Given the death of a 13-year-old girl in a private militarized school, Senator Guadalupe Chavira announced that the Senate will review the Regulations for Private Military-Type Academies, in force since 1943. The legislator described the ordinance as anachronistic and incompatible with the current protection of children’s rights.

The regulations allow military instruction from primary to technical levels, including shooting classes in secondary school and the use of grades that grant authority to certain students over others. Chavira pointed out that these are not isolated cases; In 2025, another 13-year-old minor died at the Ollin Militarized Academy, in Morelos, after suffering serious abuse during a camp.

“The tragedy that occurred with Dafne, whose suffocation under water is being investigated, should call us to reflection and action. These schools do not have the power to organize summer camps or to authorize practices such as hazing, which ended in the death of a 13-year-old girl,” declared the senator.

The Ministry of Public Education (SEP) reported that the academy where the case occurred was operating with a 2022 incorporation agreement. After being closed for investigations, the school resumed online classes claiming the students’ right to continue their training. The agency faces at least eight additional complaints of mistreatment.

Chavira demanded a new legal framework that grants the SEP clear regulatory powers, since the 1943 regulation leaves responsibility to the Secretariat of National Defense. Specialists warn that in these private schools discipline is imposed through violence and hierarchical submission, unlike official schools where there are human rights areas and supervision of the CNDH.

The Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) disclaimed any responsibility for the “Marina Doenitz” Militarized Academy, in Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, after the death of the young Dafne Zapata.

Through a statement, the agency stated that it lacks the power to authorize, supervise, inspect or regulate educational institutions of this type.

“It is reported that the Secretariat of National Defense lacks the power to authorize, supervise, inspect or regulate the operation of educational institutions of this nature, in accordance with the Internal Regulations of this agency, issued by the Presidency of the Republic through its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation, on December 29, 2008, where any administrative provision that contravenes this order was repealed,” the agency wrote.

He added that, in accordance with these regulations, Sedena “has no relationship with the aforementioned academy, nor with any other establishment of this type.”

No clear supervision

The case has put the operation of private militarized schools under scrutiny. In several states of the country they have proliferated without there being a federal body that explicitly regulates them.

To date, no state or federal authority has assumed the responsibility of supervising these schools. The Tamaulipas Prosecutor’s Office investigates the events.

Violence against women: intentional injuries at their highest point

June closed with 7,476 women victims of intentional injuries throughout the country. It is the second highest figure since the National Public Security System began this registry in 2015. In May alone, the entire record was surpassed with 7,940 victims.

On average, every day last month 249 women aged 30 or older suffered this crime. The entities with the highest rate per 100 thousand inhabitants are: State of Mexico (148.9), Guanajuato (135.8), Aguascalientes (128), Baja California Sur (100), Hidalgo (92), Michoacán (86) and Sinaloa (77.9).

42 thousand victims in six months

From January to June of this year there are 42,021 women intentionally attacked. The report is prepared based on the investigation folders initiated by the state prosecutor’s offices. Ministerial authorities and human rights organizations consider that intentional injuries are a preliminary step to homicide or feminicide.

Family violence is also increasing

In June, 25,031 investigation folders for family violence were opened, the second highest number in the same period. Among the cases, that of the former director of Pemex, Víctor Padilla, stands out, who was linked to proceedings for attacking his wife and his minor son. However, he regained his freedom after a few days in the Atlacholoaya prison, Morelos.

The report from the National Public Security System reveals that violence against women does not subside. The figures demand urgent measures from the states with the highest incidence.