Corporate Giants Under Siege: Cartels Escalate Attacks on Mexico's Largest Firms

Mexico's largest corporations are increasingly falling victim to drug cartels' demands, as gangs attempt to control the sale, distribution, and pricing of various goods. The issue became particularly alarming when the head of the business chambers' federation in Tamaulipas was shot dead shortly after speaking out against cartel extortion.

In a troubling trend, Mexico's largest corporations are being targeted by drug cartels and gangs who seek to control the sale, distribution, and pricing of goods. Even high-ranking business leaders find themselves unsafe from these criminal demands.

This week, the president of Tamaulipas' business chambers' federation, Julio Almanza, was murdered hours after publicly decrying cartel extortion in television interviews. His shocking death underscores the peril faced by businesses and their leaders in cartel-dominated areas.

Last week, the Femsa corporation, operator of Oxxo convenience stores, announced the closure of its 191 stores and seven gas stations in Nuevo Laredo due to gang-related violence, marking an escalation in cartel influence over legitimate business activities. The cartel's reach extends deeply into various sectors, distorting Mexico's economy and creating a climate of fear and uncertainty.

(With inputs from agencies.)