"In several interviews with Mexico's Radio Formula in late September and earlier this month, Bravo denounced "organized crime's permanent commercial hijacking of any commercial activity." He said criminals' demands had become out of reach for producers who were left with no other choice but to negotiate with them. He conceded that the federal government had made some advances against organized crime in the area, but said more had to be done to end their impunity."
"Last year, the federal government sent hundreds of troops to Michoacan to protect lime growers complaining of extortion threats. In August, more than half of lime packing warehouses in the lowlands of Michoacan closed temporarily after growers and distributors said they had received demands from the Los Viagras and other cartels for a cut of their income. Limes have been a revenue stream for cartels for years in Mexico."
Bernardo Bravo, president of the Apatzingan Valley Citrus Producers Association, was found dead in his vehicle on a road in the area. Bravo had publicly denounced organized crime's commercial hijacking of agricultural activity and said criminal demands left producers little choice but to negotiate. He acknowledged some federal advances against criminal groups but said impunity persisted. The federal government deployed hundreds of troops last year to protect lime growers from extortion threats. In August, over half of lime packing warehouses in Michoacán's lowlands closed temporarily after growers reported demands from Los Viagras and other cartels. Limes have long provided revenue for cartels and spurred past vigilante movements.
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