Senator Ernesto Pérez Astorga, a member of Mexico’s ruling Morena party, publicly warned of a growing security crisis in northern Veracruz, describing conditions in the region as “structural violence” fueled by organized crime, impunity, and government inaction.
His remarks, made during an August 6 session in the Senate, mark a rare moment of intra-party criticism, as the legislator urged federal and state authorities to act decisively to restore peace in communities facing a sharp rise in criminal activity.
“The people of Poza Rica, Tantoyuca, and surrounding municipalities are living in fear,” said Pérez Astorga. “There is a crisis of safety, and it requires a coordinated and sustained response.”
Fuel theft, kidnappings, and cartel turf wars
Northern Veracruz, a historically strategic oil-producing region, has seen a surge in criminal violence over the past two months. Local media and human rights organizations report an increase in:
- Fuel theft (huachicol) targeting PEMEX pipelines
- Extortion of local businesses
- Kidnappings for ransom
- Clashes between rival criminal groups, primarily factions of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and Los Zetas splinter cells
Municipal authorities in Poza Rica have confirmed at least a dozen violent incidents since mid-June, including the discovery of mutilated bodies, burned vehicles, and threats left on public property.
Despite these events, the state government has not declared a formal security emergency, leading residents and local officials to accuse leaders of downplaying the threat.
Rare dissent within Morena
Senator Pérez Astorga’s comments carry weight not only because of their content but because they come from within the ruling party. Morena has typically maintained a unified front regarding security policy, especially in states it governs.
By acknowledging a “crisis” and calling for a reassessment of security operations, Pérez Astorga implicitly challenged both the Veracruz state government and federal security strategy.
“There is no shame in admitting that violence has overwhelmed us in some places,” he said. “The shame is in doing nothing about it.”
He called on the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the National Guard, and military commanders to increase patrols and intelligence operations in northern Veracruz immediately.
Civil society echoes concerns
Residents in northern Veracruz have expressed frustration over the lack of visible security presence and the inability of municipal police forces to respond to cartel threats.
Human rights groups warn that entire communities are living under de facto control of criminal groups, with schools, transport services, and local businesses affected by extortion or fear of crossfire.
One teacher in Tantoyuca, speaking anonymously for safety, described how some schools have canceled afternoon classes due to ongoing violence.
“Parents don’t want to risk their kids being outside after lunch,” she said. “And we don’t blame them.”
Government response remains unclear
The state government, led by Morena Governor Cuitláhuac García, has not responded directly to the senator’s comments, though officials have previously defended their security strategy as “focused and intelligence-driven.”
The Veracruz Public Security Secretariat maintains that the homicide rate is declining year over year, though critics say those numbers fail to capture the full picture of violence, intimidation, and lawlessness.
Nationally, the López Obrador administration has leaned heavily on the militarization of public security, deploying the National Guard to high-risk regions. But in many cases, including Veracruz, critics argue that presence alone has not translated into protection.
Growing political pressure
Pérez Astorga’s warning could intensify pressure on Morena officials to address regional security failures as public confidence in local enforcement continues to erode.
With national elections approaching in 2027, the party will be under scrutiny for how it manages violence in territories it governs—and whether it can distance itself from accusations of denial or incompetence.
“We cannot win elections if we cannot guarantee safety,” said one Morena strategist off record. “And we can’t guarantee safety if we refuse to admit where things are going wrong.”
For the people of northern Veracruz, the crisis isn’t political—it’s personal. And the calls for action are only growing louder.
