In response to cartel violence and extortion crimes, one of the chronic ills in Mexican society, Lime farmers have called on authorities to implement protective measures and suspended related production work.
Mexican daily Milenio and Noventagrados reported on the 12th (local time) that lime farmers in Apachingan and Buenavista, central Michoacan, have decided to temporarily suspend their lime production activities to ask authorities to come up with a solution in response to cartel extortion.
The farmers issued a statement, complaining that “cartels are illegally raking in money by setting fees for harvest,” adding, “Security guarantees should be established so that they can work without threatening criminal groups.”
Lime is considered one of Mexico’s most profitable fruits along with avocados. It is even called “green gold” based on the color of its skin. Michoacan, along with Kolima and Jalisco, is a representative region where lime is grown for domestic use and export to the United States.
Farmers, however, are effectively exposed to violence by gangs seeking to exercise control over the distribution of “moneyable” lime.
In particular, there are five national gangs involved in the production and transportation of agricultural products in Michoacan, according to local media.
The police sometimes launch a major crackdown, but the effect is minimal.
For example, in February, a gangster in the region was arrested for looting lime-growing farmers and packers in the village of Pinsandaro, Buenavista, and other gang members retaliated against villagers or their relatives in protest, Milenio said.
The Michoacan state government said it was working with the federal government to find ways to prevent disruptions to lime production, Noventagrados reported.
Carlos Torres Piña, chief of staff for the governor of Michoacan, said, “We will continue to strengthen surveillance and other security measures to ease farm household concerns in relation to the lime that is essential to the local economy.”
Local media pointed out that Mexican Lime farmers, however, are still unable to clear up doubts about the effectiveness of the measures
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
