Benigno Amaro opened a restaurant last November using his savings. He managed to keep it open for only five weeks because criminals showed up demanding money in exchange for allowing him to operate.
Benigno’s story in Cuautla, Morelos, illustrates the nightmare faced by thousands of Mexicans subjected to extortion: fear, powerlessness, abandonment, and authorities who are complicit with criminals.
For years, Morelos has been gripped by an insecurity crisis marked by extortion, murders, enforced disappearances, and femicides. In 2025, it ranked second in the country for the highest homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants, surpassing Sinaloa and trailing only Colima.
This is the third installment of a new season of Estado de Sitio (State of Siege), a Latinus investigative series on insecurity across various Mexican states.
Watch the full report here:
Source: latinus.us
