By “El Huaso” for Borderland Beat
Two butcher shops have been attacked by criminals in the past month in Villahermosa, Tabasco as a local crime group seeks to levy new extortion fees on the sector.
Organized crime groups in Mexico often engage in sector wide extortion, imposing taxes on all businesses of the same type in a region. The case of lime farmers in Michoacán is the most infamous, but criminal groups target tire repair shops in Guanajuato, and bars in Quintana Roo.
Extortion rates in Mexico have reached their highest level ever. In Tabasco state, the number of extortion victims increased of 36.81% between 2024 and 2025. Combatting extortion is a main focus of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s security policy. Sheinbaum is working to pass new legislation stiffening penalties for extortion and increasing government capacity to investigate the crime.
