▲ Image of the ordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies, last October 8. This Tuesday, as they prepare to vote in plenary on a general law against extortion, they hope to have greater attendance from legislators.Photo Marco Peláez
Enrique Mendez
La Jornada Newspaper
Monday, October 27, 2025, p. 4
The Chamber of Deputies plans to vote tomorrow on a general law against extortion, once the Justice Commission approves this Monday the opinion in which – explained the Morena bench – a basic criminal offense will be defined for the entire country, from 6 to 15 years in prison, which will increase depending on the aggravating circumstances with which the crime is committed.
That is, explains the draft opinion that was delivered to the deputies, the sentence will be applied by considering the characteristics, context and particular circumstances in which the crime is committed.
In addition to toughening penalties, the aim is to protect victims, who will be able to report anonymously. Precautionary and protection measures are also created for people, from the protection of information to the change of address.
The document highlights that “minimum guidelines” are defined to guide the actions of the authorities in charge of preventing, prosecuting and punishing crime.
Among others, they highlight respect for the human dignity of the victims and those offended; conduct their actions in accordance with the principle of equality; act without distinction, exclusion or restriction that has the object or effect of preventing or nullifying the exercise of rights, prerogatives and benefits, as well as avoiding the re-victimization or criminalization of people.
In an analysis of the initiative, the coordinator of Morena, Ricardo Monreal Ávila, explained that 34 aggravating circumstances are proposed for the basic criminal type, divided into three categories.
When it comes to property damage or less harmful crimes, the penalties will be increased to one third of the basic criminal rate, and would be applicable to the “floor charge”, to the imposition of prices, to those who commit the crime with the use of the national financial system or extort candidates for popularly elected positions.
Aggravating factors
The second category applies in the event that the crime is committed against vulnerable groups (migrants, older adults, minors, pregnant women or when there is an emotional relationship with the victim), and it is proposed to increase the penalties contemplated in the basic criminal offense between a third and 50 percent.
And the third, he indicated, is foreseen for cases of damage to the integrity of the victim or his assets, use of violence, firearms, use of minors or when public officials participate in the crime, and it is proposed to increase the basic criminal penalties between 50 and 66 percent (two thirds).
In turn, the vice coordinator of the group, Dolores Padierna Luna, highlighted that in 2023 there were 4.9 million cases of extortion and specified that “the focus of the law is not only on punishment, but on the protection of victims. Comprehensive care protocols, prevention mechanisms and safe reporting will be established.”
It is about “reducing the black figure, preventing telephone extortion and restoring security for commerce, employment and social coexistence and, as President Claudia Sheinbaum stated, this law is a step towards a Mexico in which extortion stops being a profitable business for criminals and becomes a high-risk crime with severe punishment.”
