Extortion Rises Sharply in Michoacán; State Attorney General's Office Quantifies 863 Cases From 2022 to 2025

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Extortion is soaring in Michoacán, reaching 863 cases since 2022, affecting multiple sectors and with a strong impact from organized crime.

One of the main crimes committed by organized crime in Michoacán is extortion; an offense that has led to murders such as that of lime grower leader Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, and which shows an upward trend, since, from 2022 to the present, the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) has registered a total of 863 cases.

Bernardo Bravo Manríquez

According to the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) report, in 2022, only 65 investigations were opened for this crime, a figure that rose dramatically to 241 in 2023.

For 2024, the FGE reported a total of 295 investigations, while from January to October of this year, the number has already reached 262.

Extortion carried out by organized crime groups has been denounced by various commercial sectors operating in Michoacán, including lemon producers, tortilla makers, transporters, and market vendors, to name a few. 

According to intelligence reports, at least 17 criminal groups operating in the various regions of the state have been identified.

Among the disputes between these criminal groups to seize control of criminal operations throughout Michoacán, extortion, or "protection racket," as it is colloquially known, stands out as one of the most profitable crimes for drug cartels.

Statistics from the FGE on extortion in Michoacán.

Some of the municipalities where complaints have been consistently filed include Apatzingán, Buenavista, Tepalcatepec, Uruapan, Zamora, Zitácuaro, and Morelia, among others.

As a result of the complaints regarding the pressure exerted on producers, packers, and merchants, the case of Bernardo Bravo, president of the Apatzingán Valley Citrus Growers Association, who was murdered on October 20, stands out.

The State Attorney General's Office attributed the crime to the Los Blancos de Troya cartel, operators in the Tierra Caliente region and the armed wing of the Los Viagras cartel, led by the Sierra Santana brothers.

Since last year, Bernardo Bravo had been denouncing the increase in pressure to pay "protection money," which allegedly led to his murder, compounded by the inaction of state authorities.

Sources: Contra Muro, Borderland Beat Archives