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Citrus Supplier Shot Dead in Northern Veracruz, Highlighting Reported 'Double Extortion' Threat

Producer groups urge authorities to curb extortion tied to rival cartels.

Overview

  • Javier Vargas Arias, 43, owner of Cítricos Vargas, was fatally shot at his Jardín Nuevo warehouses while overseeing truck loading, according to local reports.
  • Witnesses cited in the coverage say assailants arrived in a white pickup and fired seven rounds at close range before fleeing.
  • Neighbors and traders report Vargas had received threats and extortion demands from both the CJNG and La Mafia Veracruzana, a pattern described locally as “double extortion.”
  • The killing occurred near Estero del Ídolo, where retired teacher and taxi driver Irma Hernández was murdered in July; that case remains without publicly identified suspects.
  • National producer and market groups, including the Confederación Nacional Integradora, called for urgent security and justice as investigations into the latest attack develop.