Narcos Are Now Extorting Some of Mexico City's Trendiest Neighborhoods Rafa Fernandez de Castro - Fusion
go to original July 13, 2015

Mexico City’s trendiest neighborhood is always packed with hipsters, fresas, expats, and tourists who flock to its signature bohemian bars, lively nightclubs, taquerias and restaurants. In a country riddled with narco violence, La Condesa — one of Mexico City’s so-called barrios mágicos or magical neighborhoods — has always seemed to exist in a bubble removed from the dangers of the drug war.

But now that appears to be changing. A recent series of journalistic reports have found that narcos are increasingly piercing that bubble and extorting some of Condesa’s businesses with a regular “protection tax.”

Last week Mexican daily Reforma published a report alleging that criminal groups are charging area businesses twice-monthly extortion payments of $300-$600. Subsequent journalistic investigations have verified the claim.

El Universal newspaper found that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has been collecting “taxes” in La Condesa and other neighborhoods including Roma and Zona Rosa. According to the report, the cartel and other criminal groups have allegedly been extorting some local businesses up to $200 a week, while gang members allegedly eat and drink at the establishments without paying a single peso.

In spite of the recent wave of bad press, chilangos — as Mexico City residents are known — continue to frequent Condesa after dusk, but with increasing apprehension.

Read the rest at Fusion

Image: Elena Scotti/Fusion

Related: Criminals Torch Shops of Those Who Refuse to Pay Extortion Money (El Universal)

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