Mexico’s Extortion Level Hits 11-Year High as Other Crimes Fall
Over 6,500 victims of extortion were reported in Mexico in the first six months of the year, the worst level in over a decade, according to a major business group.
Mexico's level of extortion has reached its highest point in 11 years, with over 6,500 victims reported in the first half of 2025, according to the business group Coparmex. This represents a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Most of the threats were made via phone or online, and the official figure is believed to be an undercount due to victims' fear of reprisal.
The crime is particularly prevalent in Morelos and Queretaro states, followed by Zacatecas and Mexico City. When combined with perceptions of insecurity and an estimate of underreporting, Morelos, Tabasco, and Mexico State are identified as having the greatest problems with extortion. Despite a decline in homicides and kidnappings, extortion has remained a persistent issue, challenging President Claudia Sheinbaum's anti-corruption efforts.
The Mexican government has prioritized combating extortion, with officials targeting corrupt politicians. In Morelos state, the mayor of the municipality with the highest extortion rate was detained in May, and other current and former mayors in the region have been arrested. President Sheinbaum's administration has faced pressure from the U.S. to address corruption more effectively, including the indictment of Sinaloa state governor Rubén Rocha Moya for alleged collusion with a drug cartel.
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