Narco-tariffs: 30 Lemon Orchards Closed in Apatzingan Due to Criminal Extortion

In the midst of a global tariff war, in Mexico there is little talk about a type of tariffs that drastically affect farmers. We are talking about narco-tariffs, which come in the form of protection fees and extortion by organized crime.

In the south of the country, members of organized crime have been extorting citrus growers in the region. The farmers have had to resort to self-defense groups to protect their crops.

At least 30 lemon packing plants in Apatzingán, Michoacán, closed indefinitely due to the constant extortions by organized crime.

The Association of Citrus Growers of the Apatzingán Valley (ACVA) reported that criminal organizations demand two pesos per kilo of lemons sold.

The extortion has created a climate of violence and threats for both workers and sector leaders.

The closure of the packing plants also forced the suspension of the operation of the Lemon Market for a week.

Despite the intervention of the Public Security Secretariat and the deployment of federal forces the situation in the sector remains difficult.

Lemon growers don't report extortions

The association expressed that it's not fair to blame the producers for not filing complaints. Especially when the main generators of violence in the region have pending arrest warrants.

Bernardo Bravo, president of the ACVA, used his social media to inform the producers about the closure. They were asked to communicate directly with their clients to coordinate the reception of the fruit, since the packing plants remain closed.

"The facilities remain guarded by Defense elements and the producers can freely use them," he indicated in the post.

Fear of reprisals

In his message, Bravo also criticized the authorities who have blamed them for not reporting the extortions to the State Attorney General's Office. Even when the main extortionists in the region have an arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, the president Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged that many don't report extortions due to fear of reprisals.

In response to Bravo's complaint, Sheinbaum stated that work continues with the citrus sector. In collaboration with the National Defense Secretariat and with efforts to achieve the arrest of the extortionists.

These are the tariffs that truly harm our country, they claim on social media. Many people see the efforts of the Mexican government as insufficient.Violence doesn't decrease despite recent arrests and military deployments.