Secretariat of National Defense

Secretariat of National Defense
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional
Logo during the 2018-2024 administration
Secretariat overview
Formed1821 (1821)
Preceding Secretariat
  • Secretariat of War and Navy
JurisdictionGovernment of Mexico
HeadquartersBoulevard Manuel Ávila Camacho S/N. Esq. Av. Ind. Mil.
Col. Lomas de Sotelo; Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo
Mexico City, 11200
19°26′25″N 99°12′57″W / 19.44028°N 99.21583°W / 19.44028; -99.21583
MottoHonor y Lealtad
Annual budget$199 b MXN (2022)
Minister responsible
Child Secretariat
Websitewww.gob.mx/sedena

The Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA; Spanish: Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional) is the government department responsible for managing Mexico's Army and Air Forces. Its head is the Secretary of National Defense who, like the co-equal Secretary of the Navy, is directly answerable to the President. Before 1937, the position was called the Secretary of War and Navy (Secretaría de Guerra y Marina). The agency has its headquarters in Lomas de Sotelo, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City. Some key figures who answer directly to the Secretary are the Assistant Secretary, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and all military tribunals.

Alongside his role as a cabinet member the Secretary shares, since 2020, the official ex officio title of "Commanding General of the Mexican Army, Air Force, and National Guard" (Alto Mando del Ejercito, Fuerza Aerea, y Guardia Nacional).