Abrazos, no balazos

"Abrazos, no balazos" is a Spanish-language anti-war slogan, commonly translated in English-language media as "Hugs, not bullets"^[1] or "Hugs, not slugs" (though "balazo" is more literally "gunshot"),^[2] and often compared to the English "Make love, not war".

History

The slogan was initially associated with the Chicano counterculture of the 1960s, and figured prominently in the Mexican-American anti-war movement, as a slogan in opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War.^[3][4]

It later became more broadly used throughout Mexican and Mexican-American culture. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, 65th President of Mexico, used the slogan to describe his security policy during the campaign season of the 2012 Mexican general election.^[5] The general idea being that he would seek to reduce the escalating violence of the drug cartels, as well as "moralize" police forces widely seen as brutal and corrupt within the context of the Mexican drug war.^{[6][7][8][9][10]} However, this policy has remained controversial as the homicide rate reached record levels during AMLO´s presidency.^[11] By late 2024, time in which Claudia Sheinbaum began her presidency, the policy of "hugs, not bullets" was seen widely as abandoned as the new government has been perceived as once again taking a more aggressive stance against drug violence.^[1]

The city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas implemented a policy based on the slogan in an attempt to reduce violent crime.^[12]

It continues to be a feature of informal street art. Photographer Lupe Flores documented its use as graffiti on the Mexico–United States border wall, protesting the wall and the militarization of border communities.^[2]

References

1. "Mexico appears to abandon its 'hugs, not bullets' strategy as bloodshed plagues the country". AP News. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
2. Díaz-Barriga, Miguel; Margaret E., Dorsey (2021). "Militarized Borders and Digital Bridges: Ethnography, Art Exhibitions, and Archives". In Romo, Harriett D.; Dupont, William A. (eds.). Bridging Cultures: Reflections on the Heritage Identity of the Texas-Mexico Borderlands. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 9781623499761. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
3. Oropeza, Lorena (2005). ¡Raza Si! ¡Guerra No!: Chicano Protest and Patriotism during the Viet Nam War Era. University of California Press. p. 161. ISBN 9780520241954. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
4. Grams, Ashley (2020-09-29). "Journalism professor uses art to reconnect with Chicano roots". The Chimes. Biola University. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
5. "Mexico's presidential front-runner, AMLO, doesn't want to escalate the drug war". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
6. Lewis, Stephen E. (2024). Mexico's Unscripted Revolutions: Political and Social Change Since 1958. Wiley. p. 175. ISBN 9781444337600. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
7. Shoichet, Catherine E. (24 June 2012). "Mexican election could mean drug war strategy shift, U.S. officials say". CNN. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
8. Hayden, Tom (2012-07-11). "Mexico's Election: A Vote for Peace, a Plan for War". The Nation. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
9. Linthicum, Kate (2019-01-31). "Mexico's president announces 'special plan' to combat violence in Tijuana". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
10. McCormick, Gladys; Sandin, Linnea (2019-12-13). "'Abrazos no Balazos'—Evaluating AMLO's Security Initiatives". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
11. https://politica.expansion.mx/presidencia/2024/09/gobierno-amlo-se-despide-con-casi-200-000-homicidios-dolosos
12. Espinoza, J. Noel (31 Dec 2002). "Stray bullets from New Year's gunfire could be fatal, officials say: TRADITION". The Monitor (Texas). p. 28. Retrieved 7 Apr 2023.