Mexican Deputies Approve Sweeping Anti-Extortion Law, Increasing Sentences to 42 Years

Historic Legislative Approval

The Mexican Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of congress, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, gave its final approval to the 'General Law for the Prevention, Investigation, and Punishment of Extortion Crimes'. This landmark legislation, which had previously been approved by the Senate on November 21, 2025, seeks to provide a unified and more robust legal framework to combat the escalating crime of extortion across Mexico. The bill will now be sent to the Executive for publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (Diario Oficial de la Federación) to take effect, and also requires approval by a majority of state legislatures.

Stiffer Penalties and Unified Framework

The new law significantly increases the penalties for extortion, establishing a base prison sentence of 15 to 25 years. However, with the inclusion of 34 aggravating circumstances, sentences can now reach up to 42 years in prison. This marks a substantial increase from previous varying state-level penalties. The legislation also standardizes the definition of extortion across all 32 federal entities, aiming to close legal loopholes that have historically contributed to impunity.

Key provisions designed to enhance the fight against extortion include:

• Ex Officio Prosecution: Authorities will now be mandated to investigate and prosecute extortion crimes automatically, without requiring a formal complaint from the victim.
• Anonymous Reporting: Victims are enabled to report extortion anonymously through a dedicated tip line, 089, to encourage reporting in a crime often underreported due to fear of reprisal.
• Penalties for Public Servants: The law introduces severe penalties for officials who fail to report extortion, facing 10 to 20 years in prison. Public servants or prison authorities who facilitate extortion could be jailed for 15 to 25 years. Inmates and penitentiary staff found using or allowing electronic devices in prisons, a common method for extortion, will face 6 to 12 years.
• Aggravating Factors: Sentences can be increased for various aggravating circumstances, including extortion targeting:
  • Merchants, entrepreneurs, farmers, and service providers.
  • Migrants, minors, pregnant women, or individuals over 60 years of age.
  • Cases involving physical violence, staged accidents ('montachoques'), or the use of private information.

Addressing a Growing National Crisis

The approval of this law comes as Mexico grapples with a significant surge in extortion, which has become one of the country's fastest-growing crimes. Official data indicates that extortion climbed to record levels this year, with 5,887 registered victims in the first six months, representing a 7% increase. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who initially proposed the initiative, has acknowledged that extortion is the only crime she has not been able to reduce during her first year in office. The vast majority of extortion cases, estimated between 96.7% and over 99%, go unreported due to distrust in authorities and fear of retaliation.

Impact and Future Outlook

Lawmakers expressed hope that the new measures will significantly reduce the human and economic costs of extortion, protect small and medium-sized enterprises, and improve the investment climate by disrupting criminal economies. The legislation also mandates the creation of a National Information System on Extortion and a specialized reporting center to coordinate efforts and track the crime more effectively. The comprehensive nature of the law aims to provide a more effective and coordinated national response to a deeply rooted criminal activity.