Comprehensive Compendium of Naval Legislation for Classes and Seamanship (PFAM-2026)

General Information and Study Compendium Context

The present compendium is a comprehensive compilation of laws and regulations included in the study syllabus for personnel summoned for the $PFAM-2026$ . Developed by the Dirección General de Recursos Humanos, specifically the Subdirección de Evaluaciones, this document serves as support material for promotion exams. It covers naval legislation for "Clases y Marinería" across all Naval Corps and Services. The document emphasizes that naval promotions aim to fill vacancies in the organic rosters of the Armada de México, noting that vacancies do not always coincide with a member's current assignment, which may necessitate changes of station or service commissions for professional development.

Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (CPEUM)

Article $1o$ establishes that all individuals in the United Mexican States enjoy the human rights recognized in the Constitution and international treaties. Norms regarding human rights must be interpreted favoring the most extensive protection ( $pro persona$ ). All authorities are obligated to promote, respect, protect, and guarantee these rights based on universal, interdependent, indivisible, and progressive principles. Slavery and discrimination based on ethnic origin, gender, age, disability, social status, religion, sexual preference, or marital status are strictly prohibited.

Article $2o$ defines the Mexican Nation as unique and indivisible. Article $3o$ guarantees the right to education, which the State (Federation, States, Mexico City, and Municipalities) must provide. Basic education (initial, preschool, primary, secondary) and upper secondary is mandatory. Education must be universal, inclusive, public, free, and secular. Article $4o$ mandates equality between women and men and guarantees the right to nutritious food. It establishes that Mexico is the center of origin for maize; its cultivation must be free of genetic modifications ( $transgenics$ ). This article also guarantees health protection. Laws must penalize activities related to electronic cigarettes and the illicit use of $fentanilo$ and synthetic drugs.

Article $6o$ protects the manifestation of ideas, which cannot be subject to judicial or administrative inquisition except in cases of moral attacks, privacy breaches, or disturbance of public order. Access to information is a state-guaranteed right. Principles of maximum publicity apply to all governmental bodies. Article $8o$ outlines the right to petition, which must be in writing, peaceful, and respectful. Article $9o$ protects the right to associate or meet peacefully for any lawful object, though only citizens may intervene in political affairs. Armed meetings have no right to deliberate.

Article $10$ permits inhabitants to possess arms in their homes for security and legitimate defense, excluding those prohibited by Federal Law and those reserved for the exclusive use of the permanent Armed Forces. Article $11$ grants freedom of movement within the republic without passports or safe-conducts, though this is subject to judicial and administrative limitations. Article $13$ prohibits trial by private laws or special tribunals; while military jurisdiction ( $fuero de guerra$ ) exists for crimes against military discipline, it cannot extend over civilians.

Article $16$ states that no person may be disturbed in their person, family, or property without a written warrant from a competent authority. Anyone may detain an individual in flagrante ( $flagrancia$ ) but must turn them over to the nearest civil authority immediately. Private communications are inviolable. Article $17$ prohibits taking the law into one's own hands. Justice should be administered by courts within dictated timeframes and is free of charge. Courts must resolve tax matters within a maximum of $6$ months.

Article $19$ limits judicial detention to $72$ hours unless a formal commitment order ( $auto de vinculación a proceso$ ) is issued. Pre-trial detention ( $prisión preventiva$ ) is ordered for crimes including organized crime, sexual abuse against minors, homicide, femicide, kidnapping, trafficking, and illicit use of $fentanilo$ . Article $20$ outlines the rights of the accused, including the presumption of innocence, the right to remain silent, and the right to a defense. Victims have rights to legal advice, medical/psychological attention, and damage reparation.

Article $21$ assigns the investigation of crimes to the Public Ministry, the Secretariat of Security, the Guardia Nacional, and police. Public security functions include prevention, investigation, and persecution. Article $22$ prohibits capital punishment, mutilation, torture, and excessive fines. Article $23$ limits criminal trials to no more than $3$ instances. Article $27$ declares that land and water within national limits belong originally to the Nation. The Nation has direct domain over minerals, petroleum, and the economic zone extending $200$ nautical miles from the baseline. Article $29$ permits the President, with Congressional approval, to restrict or suspend certain rights in cases of invasion or grave public peace disturbance for a limited time.

Article $42$ defines national territory, including the constituent states, islands (Guadalupe and Revillagigedo), reefs, continental shelf, and territorial seas. Article $43$ lists the $31$ states and Mexico City. Article $49$ divides the Supreme Power into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Article $80$ deposits the Executive Power in the President. Article $89$ grants the President powers to preserve national security and dispose of the Armed Forces (Ejército, Armada, Fuerza Aérea, and Guardia Nacional). Article $108$ defines public servants as elected representatives and employees of the Federal Administration, accountable for acts or omissions.

Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel Treatment

The Ley General para Prevenir, Investigar y Sancionar la Tortura defines the deprivation of liberty as any act depriving a person of their ambulatory freedom by order of a judicial or administrative authority. Torture is investigated $ex officio$ ; obedience to superior orders is not a valid defense ( $exclusión del delito$ ). Subordinates have a duty to disobey such orders. Superiors are considered authors of the crime. Penalties for public servants committing torture range from $10$ to $20$ years in prison and fines of $500$ to $1,000$ days.

Women's Access to a Life Free of Violence

The Ley General de Acceso de las Mujeres a una Vida Libre de Violencia defines violence against women as any action based on gender causing psychological, physical, patrimonial, economic, or sexual harm. Types of violence include:

Psychological: Damage to psychological stability (insults, humiliation, marginalization).
Physical: Accidental or intentional damage using physical force, weapons, or corrosive substances.
Patrimonial: Affecting survival through the loss or destruction of property and documents.
Economic: Control of income or lower salary for equal work.
Sexual: Degrading the victim's body or sexuality as an abuse of power.
Against Third Parties: Harm directed at children or relatives to hurt the woman.
Digital: Dolorous actions using technology to share intimate content without consent.
Media: Dissemination of sexist stereotypes or hate speech through communication channels.
Feminicide: The extreme form of gender violence involving the violent death of women.

Modalities include Family Violence, Labor/Educational Violence (including harassment and sexual hostigamiento), and Institutional Violence by public servants hindered by gender stereotypes.

National Detention Registry (LNRD)

The Registry is a national database of detained persons managed by the Secretariat. Its objective is to prevent human rights violations, torture, and forced disappearances. Public security personnel must register a detention immediately and while the person is in custody. Essential data includes: Name, Age, Sex, Place/Date/Time of detention, reasons for detention, and the seizing officers' names and ranks. Updates to the registry must include specific demographics (DOB, CURP, language, occupation), physical state (medical certificate), fingerprints, photos, and the specific route of transfer.

Use of Force Regulations

The Ley Nacional sobre el Uso de la Fuerza applies to public security institutions and the permanent Armed Forces in security tasks. Key principles include Absolute Necessity, Legality, Prevention, Proportionality, Accountability, Rationality, and Opportunity ( $Oportunidad$ ). Use of force is graduated as follows:

Persuasion: Verbal indications or presence.
Restriction of movement: Setting a perimeter.
Sujeción: Moderate physical force.
Inmobilización: Intense physical force to restrict movement.
Incapacitación: Max intensity physical force using less-lethal weapons (e.g., electronic discharges, irritant aerosols).
Lethal Force: Realized when lethal weapons are used against a person, resulting in total cessation of bodily functions.

Lethal threats include pointing a firearm, failing to drop a weapon after a warning, or using sharp objects. Resistance is classified as Passive (non-violent), Active (violence/threats), or High Danger (threat of death or grave injury).

Organic Law of the Mexican Navy (LOAM)

The Armada de México is a national military institution tasked with external defense, sovereignty protection, maritime rule of law, and interior security aid. Its attributes include organizing and equipping naval personnel, patrolling the territorial sea and economic zone, performing search and rescue ( $SAR$ ), and protecting strategic installations.

Command Structure:

Mando Supremo: The President of Rural Mexico.
Alto Mando: Secretary of the Navy.
Mando Superior en Jefe Estratégico: Head of Naval Operations.
Mandos Superiores en Jefe Operacionales: Commanders of Naval Forces and Naval Regions.
Mandos Superiores: Commanders of Naval Zones.
Mandos Subordinados: Commanders of Naval Sectors, Surface Units, Aeronaval Bases, etc.

Mandos are categorized as:

Titulares: Permanently designated.
Interinos: Temporary pending a permanent titular.
Accidentales: Due to temporary absence (vacation, sickness).
Incidentales: Unforeseen momentary absences or highest rank present.

Operational Organization:

Flotilla: Two or more escuadrillas.
Escuadrilla: Two or more surface units of the same type.
Naval Regions: Geo-strategic areas.
Naval Zones: Geo-maritime subdivisions.
Marine Infantry: Organized into Brigades, Battalions, and Independent Companies.
UNOPS: Naval Unit for Special Operations.
Bases Aeronavales: Responsible for aeronaval operations support.

Personnel Classification: Personnel belong to either the Milicia Permanente (stability, graduates of naval schools, or classes with $4$ years of service after promotion) or the Milicia Auxiliar (contract-based). Personnel are grouped into Cuerpos (General, Marine Infantry, Aeronaval) and Servicios (Administration, Justice, Health, etc.). Ranks range from Marinero to Almirante. Maximum ranks for various branches are defined; for example, the "Escala técnico profesional" caps at Capitán de Corbeta.

Administrative Status:

Active: Performing duties, on commission, or "at disposal."
Retirement: Per the ISSFAM law.
Reserve: First Reserve (physically fit retired/separated personnel up to age $36$ for lower ranks) and Second Reserve (up to age $45-50$ depending on rank).

Protection of National Airspace

The Ley de Protección del Espacio Aéreo Mexicano regulates sovereignty over the space above the national territory. The SEDENA coordinates authorities for surveillance. Key terms include:

Interception: Procedure to meet an aircraft for identification or assistance.
Alertamiento aéreo: Communication to intercept unauthorized flights.
Centro: National Center for the Surveillance and Protection of Airspace.

Naval Discipline and Duties

The Ley de Disciplina establishes that discipline is the vital principle of the Navy. Deber is the set of obligations imposed by hierarchy or cargo. Superior orders must be followed unless they constitute a crime; if an order appears illegal, the subordinate may request it in writing. Superiors must treat subordinates with equity and avoid corrections in front of civilians or lower-ranking personnel. Prohibited acts include murmuring against orders, political/religious proselitism, and entering bars/brothels in uniform.

Correctives and Stimuli:

Stimuli: For meritorious acts.
Correctives: Reprimand ( $amonestación$ ), Arrest ( $arresto$ - $24$ hours to $15$ days), change of assignment, or discharge ( $baja$ ).
Arrest Graduation: Almirantes (up to $24$ hours), Capitanes (up to $48$ hours), Oficiales (up to $96$ hours), Clases/Marinería (up to $8$ days).

Maritime Commerce and Port Authority

The Ley de Navegación y Comercio Marítimos regulates water communication routes and the merchant marine. It excludes military vessels of the SEMAR. The National Maritime Authority is exercised by the Federal Executive through the SEMAR for protection, security, and the rule of law in zones such as the territorial sea and economic zone. The Ley de Puertos establishes that SEMAR is the authority designator for the International Ship and Port Facility Security ( $ISPS$ ) Code.

Code of Conduct and Maritime Policy

The SEMAR Code of Conduct is mandatory for all personnel. It defines Acoso Laboral, Acoso Sexual, and Hostigamiento Sexual ( $hierarchical abuse$ ). Institutional values are Honor (moral quality), Duty (vocational compliance), Loyalty (fidelidad), and Patriotism. The National Maritime Policy identifies interests such as Maritime Security, the Port System, Naval Industry, and Natural Resources. It distinguishes between Naval Power (war capacity at sea) and Maritime Power (the sum of naval power and all maritime resources).

Coast Guard Action Protocol

Mexico’s maritime area covers over $5,120,679 \text{ km}^2$ . The SEMAR, through the Navy, performs Coast Guard functions (Search and Rescue, Surveillance, Inspection). When a crime is detected, personnel must preserve the scene, attend to victims, and put persons/objects at the disposal of the Federal Public Ministry ( $MPF$ ). Coordination between the Naval Command and the investigation police is essential to ensure legal certainty and respect for the presumption of innocence. Personnel must prioritize human life over the preservation of evidence in emergency situations.