Kidnappings, threats and ‘protection fees’: how can Mexico confront rise in deadly extortion?

• 01Luis reported that police officers frisked him, planted drugs on him, detained him for hours, threatened him, sexually assaulted him, and extorted approximately $870 from his bank accounts and cash in a Mexican city.
• 02Between 2016 and 2025, reported extortion cases in Mexico nearly doubled.
• 03According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Mexico ranks among the world's top five countries for extortion and racketeering, along with Libya, Colombia, Honduras and Somalia.
• 04In the first four months of 2026, there were nearly 3,600 reported extortion cases in Mexico, though only 0.2% of extortion cases are reported.
• 05Extortion costs Mexico approximately $900 million annually, equivalent to 0.04% of GDP.
• 06In Huautla, Morelos state, extortionists demanded residents pay $10 per family member monthly, equivalent to two-thirds of the daily minimum wage.
• 07In October, the leader of a local lime growers' organization in Michoacán state was killed after repeatedly denouncing extortion by crime groups; two weeks later, Mayor Carlos Manzo of Uruapán was shot dead after calling out extortion by criminal gangs and local officials.
• 08President Claudia Sheinbaum pushed for a constitutional amendment to make extortion a federal crime and launched a 'national strategy against extortion' in July that resulted in more than 1,300 arrests.
• 09Operation Swarm, a security effort targeting corruption among local officials, led to arrests of more than 70 officials, at least five convicted on extortion charges.

These words or phrases carry political, emotional, or ideological loading in the original article. Use Link Launderer to see them highlighted in context.

Mexico faces an extortion crisis affecting all sectors of society, with reported cases nearly doubling between 2016 and 2025 and only 0.2% of victims reporting crimes due to fear of retaliation. The country ranks among the world's top five for extortion and racketeering, with the crime costing approximately $900 million annually. President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded with a constitutional amendment proposal to make extortion federal and launched enforcement initiatives that have resulted in over 1,300 arrests, including more than 70 corrupt officials.