National Strategy Against Extortion Announced by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
The Mexican Security Cabinet has identified the eight states with the highest number of extortion investigations. The State of Mexico leads the list, followed by Guanajuato, Nuevo León, the Capital (Mexico City), Veracruz, Jalisco, Guerrero, and Michoacán.
Top 8 States for Extortion Cases
- State of Mexico: 2,049 extortion investigation cases
- Guanajuato: 879 extortion investigation cases
- Nuevo León: 645 extortion investigation cases
- Capital (Mexico City): 602 extortion investigation cases
- Veracruz: 585 extortion investigation cases
- Jalisco: 178 extortion investigation cases
- Guerrero: 47 extortion investigation cases
- Michoacán: (Number of cases not specified)
The national strategy against extortion, directed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, will be implemented with the collaboration of institutions like the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF-SHCP). The UIF will be responsible for freezing bank accounts identified as receivers of extortion payments.
Key Measures to Combat Extortion
During a press conference, Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, outlined several key measures to tackle extortion:
- Freezing Bank Accounts: The UIF will be tasked with freezing bank accounts linked to extortion payments.
- Blocking Communication Lines: Judicial orders will be sought to block cellular lines and equipment associated with extortion calls.
- Surprise Penitentiary Center Inspections: Surprise inspections will be conducted in prisons to secure telecommunication devices used by inmates for extortion.
Dedicated Helpline for Extortion Cases
García Harfuch announced that 089 will be the exclusive national hotline for reporting extortion cases, emphasizing the protection of victim identities through anonymous denunciations.
Fiscal General de la República Identifies Prison-Based Extortion
Alejandro Gertz Manero, the Fiscal General de la República (FGR), highlighted that most telephonic extortion originates from prisons.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main focus of the new strategy? The national strategy aims to combat extortion by implementing measures such as freezing bank accounts, blocking communication lines, and conducting surprise inspections in penitentiary centers.
- Which states have the highest extortion investigation cases? The State of Mexico leads with 2,049 cases, followed by Guanajuato (879), Nuevo León (645), the Capital (Mexico City) with 602, Veracruz with 585, Jalisco with 178, Guerrero with 47, and Michoacán (number of cases unspecified).
- What is the significance of the 089 hotline? The 089 hotline is a dedicated, nationwide resource for reporting extortion cases anonymously, ensuring victim protection and initiating investigations.
- Where do most extortion calls originate from? According to the Fiscal General de la República, most extortion calls originate from prisons.
