Once wealthy Mexican state plagued by killings, extortion

Business and church leaders say they are being hit by a wave of extortion demands by criminal gangs in Mexico’s north-central state of Guanajuato, which was recently considered a Mexican success story for attracting high-tech manufacturing investment, including five auto assembly plants.

But after the federal government’s crackdown on pipeline fuel thefts early this year, gangs began targeting local businesses in the city of Celaya for shakedowns.

Arturo Gonzalez Palomino, head of the state’s association of auto dealerships, said Tuesday that at least two car lots in Celaya have been shot up by criminals demanding . . .

This independent news site is supported by subscribers.

Trending News on PVDN

Decapitated Body Found in Puerto Vallarta Sparks Investigation PUERTO VALLARTA - In a shocking development, a decapitated body was discovered on Wednesday afternoon in the southern region of Puerto Vallarta. As of now, the identity of the individual and the cause of death remain undetermined. The local authorities were alerted to the gruesome discovery through a 911 report, prompting an immediate response from…
Mismaloya Residents Protest Against Forced Evictions of 80 Residents of Puerto Vallarta The coastal town of Mismaloya, in Puerto Vallarta, witnessed a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday, where residents sought justice from the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, amidst a severe land dispute threatening their homes. Around 80 concerned residents assembled by the side of Federal Highway 200, earnestly awaiting updates from their representatives at the…
Approximately 866,300 Children in Mexico Are Used in Child Labor PUERTO VALLARTA - Mexico continues to grapple with the grim reality of child labor, with girls, boys, and adolescents being subjected to its most severe forms, such as sexual exploitation and involvement in drug production and trafficking. Despite the efforts to curb this menace, a recent report by the United States government suggests that only…
Tourists Discover Body of Woman in Waters Off Puerto Vallarta, You Won’t Believe What Happened Next In a heart-pounding incident on the waters off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, horrified tourists witnessed a lifeless body floating amidst the relentless waves. The spine-chilling ordeal began when Nicole, a German native residing in Mexico, decided to indulge in an evening dip on Monday. Unknown to her, the perilous currents had other plans…
Puerto Vallarta Gains Prominent Nominations at the LGBTIQ Travel Awards Mexico 2023 PUERTO VALLARTA - Puerto Vallarta, renowned for its efforts and dedication towards fostering a hospitable environment for the LGBTIQ community, once again emerges as a frontrunner in inclusive tourism at a national level. The city has been nominated in five categories at the illustrious LGBTIQ Travel Awards Mexico 2023, celebrating its enduring commitment to pink…
Notorious Criminal Edgar Salvador Casian-García Extradited to the US After Arrest in Puerto Vallarta PUERTO VALLARTA - The Mexican Attorney General's Office (FGR) recently disclosed the extradition of Edgar Salvador Casian-García to the United States, marking a significant capture of one of America's most wanted individuals after his arrest in Puerto Vallarta. Casian-García faces grave charges, including homicide, rape, and causing bodily harm. The extradition follows a horrific tale…
Health Officials Underscore Ongoing Threat of Dengue in Puerto Vallarta PUERTO VALLARTA - In a renewed call to remain vigilant against Dengue, health officials reassert their unyielding dedication to battling the vectors that contribute to the proliferation of this disease. Despite four confirmed cases in Puerto Vallarta, the risk lingers, primarily due to the persistent breeding sites for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the primary vector…
Cartels are the Fifth Largest Employer in Mexico with 175,000 ‘Employees’ PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - In a groundbreaking study unveiled this Thursday in the esteemed journal Science, researchers from the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna disclosed that drug trafficking ranks as the fifth largest employer in Mexico, engaging between 160,000 and 185,000 individuals. The study also revealed that thwarting new recruitment is crucial to diminishing the…