EXTORTION FOR PROTECTION MONEY

Abstract

Extortion is a high-impact crime that is growing in Mexico and has become normalized in every state, every municipality, every individual, and every community. It has proven to adapt to new technologies, but it is also practiced with a high degree of impunity. One form of extortion is the "cobro de piso" (base payment), which consists of the payment of a certain amount of money demanded from individuals or businesses, generally by criminal organizations in exchange for protection or to avoid violent retaliation. The "cobro de piso" (base payment) is one of the most violent forms of extortion in Mexico, carried out by criminal groups. They demand regular payments (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) from merchants, business owners, transporters, or producers in exchange for "protection." They are threatened that failure to pay the agreed-upon amounts could result in assault (a beating or a kidnapping), robbery, arson, disappearance, or death. “For criminals, there is no activity, line of business, or formal or informal business that they do not extort. They also now control entire markets in the country for products such as chicken, tortillas, eggs, construction materials, and many other activities that can no longer operate peacefully and legally without paying fees and taxes to criminals. Those who refuse to pay outright are murdered, see their businesses go up in flames, or, the bravest, prefer to close their family businesses, companies, or grape harvesting operations so they don't have to pay taxes to organized crime, in addition to those they already pay to the government.” (García Soto, 2024) In Mexico, organized crime has determined that anyone who produces anything, sells anything, or trades any type of goods and services must pay a fee in order to work, regardless of whether they are a street vendor, a small family business, a medium-sized company, or even a large supermarket chain. It is suspected that the majority of intentional homicides recorded in the country are linked to the collection of extortion fees in bars, grocery stores, street vendors, livestock farmers, farmers, transporters, butchers, gas stations, and bakeries. “One of the main drivers of the growth of extortion is the low likelihood of punishment. According to various studies, most cases go unreported due to fear of reprisals or distrust of the authorities. Even when complaints are filed, the processes are long, opaque, and often end without consequences for those responsible. This lack of effective response fuels a cycle of silence and vulnerability. In several regions of the country, extortion is part of the “business model” of criminal groups that have diversified their sources of income. Its impact goes far beyond the demanded payment: it affects family finances, deteriorates emotional health, and weakens the social fabric.” (Martínez, 2025) The unreported and uninvestigated crime rate against businesses reached 96.7% in 2023, according to the National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Security (ENVIPE, 2024). This means that for every 100 crimes committed against businesses, only 3.3 were reported and/or investigated by authorities. This indicates a high level of impunity and underreporting of crimes against companies.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/edimpacto2025.040-010