In the area of public safety, it is a fact that the change in strategy implemented by the Federal Government and carried out by Omar García Harfuch has already yielded results. These range from the arrest of drug cartel leaders to the extortionists who caused the prices of basic goods like avocados and lemons to rise substantially on several occasions in previous years.
Extortion has ceased to be merely a public safety issue and has become a structural obstacle to economic development in the states and in various productive sectors of the country.
Proof of this is the recent arrest of César Alejandro Sepúlveda, alias “El Botox,” leader of the Viagras cartel and the main extortionist of lemon growers. This arrest was applauded by farmers, but unfortunately, all indications are that there is a new sector they are trying to penetrate: Veracruz, governed by Rocío Nahle.
And now it turns out that citrus producers are being targeted by organized crime, and the celebration of the arrest of “El Botox” in Michoacán seems short-lived, as various stakeholders in the sector have reported a shift of these criminal activities toward Veracruz, where homicides and extortion against orange producers, processors, and distributors have been recorded.
This phenomenon clearly illustrates how organized crime, if not eradicated, reconfigures itself territorially, transferring the cost of violence to new regions and production chains.
According to the 2025 Agri-Food Panorama of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, headed by Julio Berdegué, oranges stand out for their economic, territorial, and social importance. In 2024, national production of this fruit reached 4.8 million tons, 2.7 percent above the average of the last decade. This performance allowed Mexico to consolidate its position as the world’s third-largest producer, accounting for 6.4 percent of global production, reflecting the strategic importance of the crop internationally.
Veracruz contributes two out of every three oranges produced in the country, and citrus farming in the state extends across more than 171,000 hectares, with a production exceeding 2.5 million tons and an economic impact surpassing 8.4 billion pesos annually—hence the focus of crime.
When organized crime imposes an informal “tax,” investment dwindles, competitiveness weakens, and growth is postponed.
In Guerrero, governed by Evelyn Salgado, extortion of transporters also continues unabated. There’s the more than six-hour blockade on the Autopista del Sol (Highway of the Sun), which, in addition to the crime of extortion, is also linked to clashes between local cartels: Los Ardillos and Los Rusos, who control parts of the state. This affected thousands of tourists during the first long weekend of the year, and there’s an urgent need to continue fighting this crime.
The problem is exacerbated in key states for the national economy: the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Nuevo León, and Veracruz, which account for approximately two-thirds of the reported extortion cases nationwide and are home to major industrial corridors, logistics centers, and strategic consumer hubs.
For Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, and his team, combating extortion is not just a security matter; it’s an essential condition for reactivating the economy and restoring business confidence. Hopefully, they will achieve this soon.
Two six-year terms later, the Toluca Train project is finally underway, bringing with it a new challenge: ensuring it not only operates on schedule but also adheres to all required safety measures and international certifications. It’s worth noting that, given its proximity to the State of Mexico, governed by Delfina Gómez, this train could become a true commuter rail service for thousands of workers in the Santa Fe area, similar to those found in major cities worldwide.
With the completion of the final stage of the “El Insurgente” intercity train, the total investment reached 100 billion pesos, due to delays and cost overruns. Of course, the entire project is not yet finished, as plans are in place to connect it to lines closer to the Metro, a task being handled by the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency, headed by Andrés Lajous.
Added to this is the task of getting the Interoceanic Train back on track after the unfortunate accident. Given the data that has been compiled, blaming the staff is the easiest way out. Of course, they will now require international certification before it can be put into operation, which is questionable. Does the Maya Train already have it?
Source: nacion321
