On the occasion of the International Gun Destruction Day, the Mexican Government unveiled a new national initiative to convert confiscated weapons into sculptures and artistic objects, in an effort to promote peace and reflect on the country’s commitment to tackling the root causes of violence.
During a commemorative ceremony held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a symbolic site where the social program “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace” began 180 days ago, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called on citizens and institutions across the country to address the systemic roots of violence, particularly at the community and family levels.
“Let us embrace the flag of peace not only with our hands but with our actions,” Sheinbaum said. “Let us educate for coexistence and sow hope where vengeance and violence have taken root. May future generations remember this program as something essential that helped shape a better nation.”
The President also highlighted the impact of the country’s National Security Strategy, which is based on four key pillars:
Addressing the root causes of violence, especially through the defense of rights for young people.
Strengthening the National Guard.
Expanding the country’s intelligence and investigative capacity.
Improving inter-institutional coordination.
Thanks to this strategy, intentional homicide rates in Mexico have decreased 25 percent between October 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, she reported.
Art as a tool for peacebuilding
The government’s new cultural initiative was announced by Minister of Culture Claudia Curiel de Icaza, who emphasized that art and collective creation are essential vehicles for social transformation.
A national call for proposals will be launched in October 2025, inviting visual artists to design works using decommissioned firearms provided by the Mexican Army (SEDENA). These weapons will be fully dismantled to ensure they can never be reused.
“Art can strip weapons of their violent function and convert them into symbols of memory, reflection, and hope,” said Curiel. “The pieces created will become poetic and restorative actions — new forms of resistance and collective healing.”
Results from the disarmament program
According to Minister of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez, from January to July 2025, citizens across the country voluntarily and anonymously turned in 2,135 firearms (1,585 handguns and 550 rifles), 200 grenades, and 85,000 rounds of ammunition and detonator caps.
These results reflect growing public support for a more peaceful society, she noted.
Public exhibition in 2026
The artistic pieces resulting from the initiative will be publicly exhibited in 2026 as symbolic gestures of peace and social reparation. The program also seeks to foster the engagement of young people, public participation, and a culture of nonviolence through creative expression.
“Turning weapons into art is just one step on a long road toward building a culture of peace,” concluded Curiel. “We invite all artists and citizens to be part of this movement.”
Related: The Mexican Government’s Security Cabinet reports on important actions taken on July 7, 2025
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
