In Apatzingán, Michoacán, more than 30 lemon packing companies have closed indefinitely due to constant extortion by organized crime. The Association of Citrus Growers of the Valley of Apatzingán (ACVA) reported that criminal groups demand two pesos for every kilo of lemon sold, which has created an atmosphere of violence and threats for both workers and sector leaders. This closure has also led to the temporary suspension of the Lemon Market.
Local authorities have tried to address this situation with the intervention of the Ministry of Public Security of Michoacán and the deployment of federal forces to ensure safety in the area. Despite these efforts, the ACVA has called on the authorities to consider the complicated situation in which the sector is found.
In a statement, the association mentioned that blaming producers for not reporting extortions is unfair, as the main perpetrators of violence in the region have pending arrest warrants. Bernardo Bravo, president of the ACVA, has used social media to inform producers about the closure of the packing companies and has requested they contact their customers directly to arrange for the receipt of the fruit.
Bravo has also criticized the authorities for holding producers accountable for not reporting extortions. Claudia Sheinbaum, president, acknowledged that many people do not report out of fear of reprisals and stated that work is being done in collaboration with the citrus sector and the Ministry of National Defense to stop the extortionists.
