Overview

• Business and producer organizations in the Región Lagunera issued a joint statement alleging institutionalized cobro de piso disguised as union dues, citing charges on transported construction materials, livestock movements, and alleged water diversion fees of up to 20,000 pesos per hectare.
• The signatories say they have filed complaints with the state Fiscalía and the Mando Único and are urging President Claudia Sheinbaum and Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch to intervene, with no public confirmation of a new federal probe so far.
• CATEM’s Durango branch denied wrongdoing, labeled the campaign a “campaña negra,” defended union dues as lawful under labor statutes, and offered to meet with authorities and local sectors.
• President Sheinbaum said reported extortion cases should be handled by prosecutors and noted a federal reporting line, adding that investigations must proceed wherever there is a complaint and evidence.
• Similar accusations have been documented beyond La Laguna, including investigations and complaints in Oaxaca, Veracruz and Querétaro, reinforcing claims that the pattern extends to multiple states.