The export of Mexican products is affected by the crime of extortion, according to Jorge Peñúñuri, president of the Security Commission of the Employers’ Confederation of the Mexican Republic (Coparmex).
“Today we face challenges in both Mexico and the United States, because the exchange of goods is increasingly complicated, and exports are even more so. In particular, in the United States, if a product is linked to extortion, it cannot enter the country,” he said.
Peñúñuri said that states such as Michoacán have experienced an increase in extortion cases, especially in avocado and lemon production.
“Because when drug trafficking enters the supply chain, I repeat, it has repercussions on how we reach the final consumer,” he said.
He indicated that this situation not only affects exports, but also increases operating costs, since security expenses increase, which in turn forces the price of the final product to increase.
He stressed that this problem is capitalized on by security companies, since their hiring becomes an indispensable necessity for companies of any size.
“We need better structures, security protocols and, above all, a strong rule of law, which is why the separation of powers is essential to guarantee legal certainty,” he said. “We must invest in national security and strengthen supply chains to support producers of all sizes.”
According to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, 8,546 extortion complaints have been registered up to October, with April leading with 936 reports, followed by October with 882 and March with 876.
In relation to the phenomenon of relocation of companies known as nearshoring, Jorge Peñúñuri emphasized the importance of “strengthening supply chains and guaranteeing the rule of law” to provide companies with greater certainty and confidence to invest, since in entities such as Sinaloa, crime hinders capital investments.
