Mexican Farming Leader Killed After Complaining About Cartel Extortion

A farming leader in Mexico was found murdered in his car after complaining about extortion and organized crime in the Michoacan region, local media reported.

Bernardo Bravo, president of the Apatzingan Valley Citrus Producers Association, was found dead on Monday. In a post on X, prosecutors described his death as a homicide and said that an investigation is ongoing. Bravo was found dead in his car.

CBS News reported that Bravo had recently condemned "organized crime's permanent commercial hijacking of any commercial activity." He added that producers were often left with little choice but to negotiate with criminal elements who were making demands.

The outlet noted that in August more than half of lime packing warehouses in the Michoacan lowlands temporarily closed following demands from cartels.

Before his death, Bravo had acknowledged some progress by the government. For example, last year troops were sent to protect lime growers facing extortion demands.