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Defence Ministry (Mexico)
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Defence Ministry (Mexico)

Mexico's federal Defence Ministry, Sedena, commanding the Army, air force and National Guard.

Mexico's Defence Ministry would receive 57% of visitor-fee revenue under the federal fees bill approved by deputies on 13 October 2026.

Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

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Background

The Defence Ministry in Mexico, formally the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional and commonly called Sedena, belongs to the federal executive. Federal fees legislation can allocate visitor revenue to the ministry alongside its defence responsibilities. Article 29 of the federal public-administration law assigns it responsibility for organising, administering and preparing the Army, Air Force and National Guard. Its remit also includes military service, infrastructure, healthcare and professional education. These duties extend beyond field operations to the institutions and resources supporting the forces.

The National Guard law places that force under the ministry, while article 29 sets out supervision of its public-security operations. The ministry also has duties involving national airspace, weapons permits and coordination with other security bodies. This legal remit gives the ministry responsibility for personnel, training and operations across the three forces, as well as supporting services.

Key Issues
Visitor revenue

Defence retains most proposed visitor receipts

Mexico's Defence Ministry would receive most visitor-fee revenue under the federal fees bill approved by deputies on 13 October 2026. Its proposed share was 57%, about 660 pesos from each non-exempt visitor's proposed 1,158-peso charge. This was the lower house's allocation, replacing the government's earlier proposal.

The Instituto Nacional de Migración would receive 15% under the October bill. The Treasury would retain 28%. For the ministry, these figures described a proposed revenue allocation rather than an enacted entitlement. Senate committees backed the legislation on 21 October, but a full-chamber vote remained pending at that report. The committee decision therefore did not complete the legislative process.

Common Questions
Does every foreign tourist pay Mexico's visitor-entry fee?
No. Article 11 of the Federal Fees Law exempts qualifying land arrivals staying no more than seven days, among other categories.Source: Cámara de Diputados: Ley Federal de Derechos
Does Mexico's Defence Ministry control the National Guard?
The 2025 National Guard law makes the force dependent on the ministry. Current article 29 I assigns the ministry responsibility for organising, administering and preparing the Army, Air Force and National Guard.Source: Diario Oficial de la Federación; Cámara de Diputados
Who runs Mexico's Defence Ministry?
General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Secretary of National Defence since 1 October 2024.Source: https://gabinetedeseguridad.gob.mx/contenido/4857/el-general-secretario-de-la-defensa-nacional-sostiene-videollamada-con-el-comandante-del-comando-norte-de-los-e-u-a
How much of Mexico's tourist entry fee goes to the Defence Ministry?
The bill approved by deputies proposes 57% for defence, 15% for the migration institute and 28% for the Federal Treasury. The earlier September initiative proposed 50%, 26% and 24%; neither proposal should be presented as enacted law.Source: Canal del Congreso; Gaceta Parlamentaria
Source Material

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.