Kidnappings, threats and ‘protection fees’: how can Mexico confront rise in deadly extortion?
Extortion and racketeering have surged in Mexico, with official reports showing a near doubling of cases between 2016 and 2025. The article details how corrupt law enforcement and organized crime syndicates target citizens, creating a climate of fear and systemic corruption.
Why it matters
The rise of extortion in Mexico represents a significant threat to public safety and economic stability, undermining trust in government institutions.
Members of the Mexican army and federal police at a crime scene after an organised crime shooting in Villa Juárez, Navolato, Sinaloa state. Photograph: Fernando Brito/AFP/Getty Images With corrupt police on the streets and shopkeepers forced to pay gangs, president has vowed to tackle crime that now affects all parts of society
The article relies on official data and personal accounts to report on a systemic social issue, maintaining a neutral journalistic tone.
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