Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar took part in a meeting of Mexico’s National Public Security Council on Thursday, where President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a new National Agreement Against Extortion.
The governor said Baja California is fully joining the effort and noted that the state introduced its own anti-extortion strategy in August.
“Our state will be part of the president’s push to eliminate extortion and lessen the damage this crime causes to families, businesses, and overall public confidence,” she said.
President Sheinbaum explained that the new national plan required changes to the constitution so extortion cases — once handled only at the state level — can now be investigated federally by the Attorney General’s Office.
“The key is that reporting no longer falls solely on victims. It becomes a crime authorities must pursue on their own, with tougher penalties. Extortion affects everyone,” she said.
Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch called the agreement an important step toward tackling extortion with stronger tools and better coordination. The plan requires states to update their laws and create specialized units within their prosecutors’ offices.
He said that since the launch of the National Strategy Against Extortion in July, more than 102,000 reports have been filed through the 089 hotline, and over 600 people have been arrested across 22 states.
