Mexico Deploys Troops to Protect Lime Industry from Cartel Extortion in Michoacan

Mexico Deploys Troops to Protect Lime Industry from Cartel Extortion

In a significant move to safeguard its vital lime industry, Mexico has dispatched 660 soldiers and National Guard officers to the state of Michoacan. This deployment, initiated on October 1 as part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration’s efforts, aims to shield lime growers from escalating cartel extortion.

The intervention comes in response to increasing pressure from cartels, notably Los Viagras, who have been demanding a share of lime growers’ income. This extortion has led to temporary closures of lime-packing warehouses, threatening the stability of a crop crucial to both Mexican cuisine and the national economy.

Government forces are now actively providing security by visiting packing houses, escorting lime transport trucks, and securing wholesale markets. The operation has already yielded results, with troops seizing ten guns and two grenades in the first week of deployment.

While the Michoacan government has acknowledged the shutdowns, it attributes them to price dissatisfaction among growers rather than cartel activity. However, this explanation contrasts with the historical context of the region, where lime growers have previously led vigilante movements against cartel control over agricultural distribution.

The current situation is part of a broader trend of cartel influence over Mexico’s economy. Cartels have long manipulated prices and controlled harvest times for various crops, including limes and avocados. Their reach now extends beyond agriculture, affecting other sectors of the economy. In a related development, the Femsa corporation recently closed its Oxxo stores and gas stations in Nuevo Laredo due to similar cartel pressures.

This military intervention underscores the ongoing struggle between Mexican authorities and cartels for economic control and security. As the government takes decisive action to protect one of its key industries, the outcome of this operation may have far-reaching implications for Mexico’s broader fight against organized crime and its impact on the national economy.