Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Mexico's Extortion Hits 11-Year High as Other Crimes Fall
Extortion is when bad people force others to give them money by threatening them.
In Mexico, more than 6,500 people reported being extorted in the first six months of the year.
That is the highest number in more than ten years.
The number of extortion cases grew by more than 9% compared with the same time last year.
Most of the threats happened by phone or on the internet.
Many more cases probably happened but were never reported because people were scared.
The problem is worst in places like Morelos and Queretaro.
Other crimes, like murders and kidnappings, have gone down a lot, but extortion has not.
Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is trying to fight corruption and has arrested some mayors.
But extortion is still a big challenge for her government.
Over 6,500 extortion victims were reported in Mexico in the first six months of the year, the worst level in over a decade.
Extortion grew more than 9% compared with the first half of 2025, according to business group Coparmex's analysis of government data.
Most extortion threats were made by phone or online, and the official figure is widely believed to be an undercount due to fear of reprisal.
Morelos and Queretaro had the highest extortion rates relative to population, followed by Zacatecas and Mexico City.
Homicides and kidnappings fell dramatically, but extortion persisted, challenging President Claudia Sheinbaum's anti-corruption message.
- Who
- President Claudia Sheinbaum's government, business group Coparmex, and extortion victims across Mexico; the US also indicted Sinaloa state governor Rubén Rocha Moya over corruption.
- What
- Extortion in Mexico reached an 11-year high, with over 6,500 reported victims in six months.
- When
- First six months of the year (2026); Coparmex published its analysis on Sunday.
- Where
- Mexico, with the highest rates in Morelos, Queretaro, Zacatecas and Mexico City.
- Why
- Extortion persists despite falling homicides and kidnappings, challenging the government's anti-corruption efforts.
- Reported extortion victims
- Over 6,500 in six months
- Increase vs. first half of 2025
- More than 9%
- Worst level
- 11-year high
- Most common method
- Phone or online threats
- Highest rates per population
- Morelos and Queretaro
- Also high
- Zacatecas and Mexico City
- Data source
- Coparmex analysis of government data
- President
- Claudia Sheinbaum