Introduction
In Ecatepec, a Mexican suburb with over 1.5 million residents, business owners find themselves increasingly having to pay protection money to gangs for security. This situation has been exacerbated by the impunity enjoyed by these criminal organizations and the lack of law enforcement efforts to combat them.
The Extortion Problem
Extortion has become a common practice for gangs in Latin America to finance their activities, with Peru considering declaring it a terrorist practice. In Mexico, authorities are contemplating harsher penalties for extortion-related crimes.
Ecatepec, where 90% of its 1.6 million inhabitants feel insecure according to official statistics, has seen a rise in cases of vigilante justice due to the frustration caused by extortion. In July, a group of business owners physically assaulted a man who threatened to burn their establishments. This incident, however, led to fear and reluctance among residents to take matters into their own hands.
Who is “La Chokiza”?
“La Chokiza,” led by Alejandro Mendoza, is one such criminal organization operating in Ecatepec. They offer protection services to businesses in exchange for money, often using intimidation tactics against those who refuse to pay. Mendoza was arrested on September 12 in a large-scale operation, following his public display of power and influence through social media posts featuring Batman toys.
Mendoza’s reach extended to the Cuauhtémoc alliance, which contributes 4% to Mexico’s national GDP. His relationship with former local mayor Sandra Cuevas further solidified his position.
Distrust and Challenges
The extortion problem in Mexico involves both major drug trafficking organizations and smaller-scale criminals who intimidate individuals for money, sometimes even from prison. The fear of retaliation and the suspicion that some authorities collude with these criminal groups hinder efforts to curb extortion.
A businesswoman in the market, who has been a victim of this practice for eight months, described the terrorizing effect of these criminals: “They instill so much fear that it traumatizes you.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is “La Chokiza”? “La Chokiza” is a criminal organization led by Alejandro Mendoza, offering protection services to businesses in exchange for money through intimidation.
- What is the extent of extortion in Ecatepec? Ninety percent of Ecatepec’s 1.6 million residents feel insecure, and extortion has led to cases of vigilante justice due to frustration.
- What challenges exist in addressing extortion? Fear of retaliation, distrust in authorities, and the involvement of both major drug trafficking organizations and smaller criminals complicate efforts to combat extortion.
The situation in Ecatepec highlights the growing problem of extortion in Mexico and the need for effective law enforcement strategies to protect citizens from these criminal activities.
