Mexico: The Support and Response Forces (Fuerzas de Apoyo y Reaccion, FAR) of the state of Mexico (2001-2003)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 4 November 2008 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MEX102991.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mexico: The Support and Response Forces (Fuerzas de Apoyo y Reaccion, FAR) of the state of Mexico (2001-2003), 4 November 2008, MEX102991.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/492ac7c21a.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the State Security Agency (Agencia de Seguridad Estatal, ASE) section of the state of Mexico government website, the Support and Response Forces (Fuerzas de Apoyo y Reaccion, FAR) serve as a state-level police unit in cases of emergency to help preserve and maintain public order (n.d.). FAR is part of the Public Security and Traffic Branch (Direccion General de Seguridad Publica y Transito) of the ASE (State of Mexico n.d.).
An August 2001 news article noted the state of Mexico's use of FAR to help monitor a potential conflict at the El Salado estate near San Salvador Atenco (El Universal 2 Aug. 2001). Specifically, 40 FAR officers were dispatched to monitor neighbouring properties and the main points of access to El Salado for some 20 hours (ibid.).
Further information on FAR for the time period 2001 to 2003 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, in 2008, Mexican news sources reported situations in which FAR was dispatched to assist municipal police (Portal 3 Oct. 2008), work in coordination with federal police agencies in anti-drug trafficking operations (Poder Edomex 22 Sept. 2008) and assist federal, state and municipal police with anti-piracy operations (Alfa 29 June 2008).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Alfa [Toluca, State of Mexico]. 29 June 2008. "Asestan golpe a la pirateria en Atlacomulco."
Poder Edomex [State of Mexico]. 22 September 2008. "Detenidos por delitos contra la salud en el Valle de Mexico."
Portal [Toluca, State of Mexico]. 3 October 2008. "Detienen a integrantes de 'La Familia' en Edomex."
State of Mexico. N.d. Agencia de Seguridad Estatal (ASE). Direccion General de Seguridad Publica y Transito. "Fuerzas de Apoyo y Reaccion (FAR)."
El Universal [Mexico City]. 2 August 2001. Almendra Vazquez Bravo. "Se introducen judiciales al predio El Salado, en Edomex."
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), Factiva, La Jornada [Mexico City], Justice in Mexico [news archive], United States (US) Department of State.