Mexico has deployed 660 soldiers and militarized National Guard officers to the state of Michoacan to protect lime growers facing extortion demands from cartels. Since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office on Oct. 1, 300 soldiers and 360 Guard officers have been sent to various lime-growing townships in the region.
In August, over half of the lime packing warehouses in Michoacan temporarily closed due to demands from cartels, including Los Viagras, for a share of the growers' income. The troops are now visiting packing houses, escorting fruit transport trucks, and providing security at wholesale markets in key producing areas like Apatzingan, Aguililla, and Buenavista.
Within a week of deployment, the troops seized 10 guns and two grenades. Limes are a crucial ingredient in Mexican cuisine, and the shutdowns in August were initially attributed to growers' dissatisfaction with prices.
Interestingly, drug cartels have targeted limes for revenue in recent years. In 2013, lime growers spearheaded Mexico's largest vigilante movement due to cartel control over distribution and pricing of crops like avocados and limes. Cartels have been found to influence product sales and prices in various sectors of Mexico's economy, demanding a percentage of revenue in return.
For instance, in July, Femsa corporation announced the closure of all its stores and gas stations in Nuevo Laredo due to cartel pressure to buy fuel from specific distributors. This incident highlights the broader issue of cartel interference in economic activities across Mexico.
These developments underscore the complex challenges faced by authorities in combating cartel influence and protecting businesses from extortion. The situation in Michoacan serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching impact of organized crime on various sectors of society.
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