Mexico’s federal government deployed more than 52,000 security personnel across the country for Semana Santa, with operations running through April 18. The deployment covers major highways, beaches, and tourist zones, including more than 3,500 elements assigned specifically to Baja California.
The Guardia Nacional (GN), Mexico’s National Guard, added roughly 30,000 temporary agents to its regular force of about 20,000 officers for the holiday period. Helicopters and ground vehicles are operating around the clock on federal highways and at popular beach destinations.
Navy Launches Operación Salvavidas at 34 Coastal Bases
The Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR), Mexico’s Navy, launched a parallel effort called Operación Salvavidas. The operation stations 2,854 maritime personnel at 34 coastal bases across the country. Navy crews are patrolling beaches and coastal waters to assist swimmers and boaters during peak holiday traffic.
In Baja California Sur, authorities expect up to 140,000 national and international visitors during Holy Week, according to the state’s Ministry of Tourism and Economy (SETUE). The first seven days of the holiday period typically see the highest number of arrivals. Across the state’s five municipalities, more than 1,400 personnel from public security, civil protection, and rescue agencies are on duty.
What Baja Travelers Should Expect
Drivers on the Transpeninsular Highway (Highway 1) and other federal routes should expect more frequent checkpoints. GN officers at these stops typically ask for vehicle registration and driver identification. The stops are brief and routine during holiday operations.
Beach patrols are also more visible during this period. Uniformed Navy and GN personnel are stationed at popular stretches of coastline in both Baja California and Baja California Sur, from Rosarito and Ensenada in the north to La Paz, Los Cabos, and Loreto in the south.
The nationwide deployment is part of an annual security strategy that Mexico’s federal government activates each Easter season, when millions of Mexican families travel domestically. The operation runs through the end of the holiday period on April 18.
This story was first reported by La Jornada Baja California.