Mexican cartels have increasingly taken control of water supplies, exacerbating water scarcity in various regions, particularly Michoacán. The state has suffered from severe droughts, leading to conflicts over water resources. Cartel-backed commercial avocado farms have significantly contributed to the depletion of water sources by illegally tapping into streams and rivers.

In response, local villagers and activists in Michoacán have started dismantling illegal water pumps and breaching unauthorized irrigation ponds used by these farms. These actions are driven by desperation, as many communities have been left without adequate water for basic needs. The cartels often engage in illegal logging and deforestation to make way for avocado orchards, further reducing the availability of water in the area. The illegal logging and deforestation to make way for these orchards further diminish the water retention capacity of the soil, aggravating the situation​.

The conflict over water is not just limited to Michoacán. In Chiapas, the fight between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has intensified, affecting local water supplies. These criminal groups impose taxes on local farmers and control significant portions of water resources, using them to support their activities and expand their influence. This struggle for control over water and other resources often leads to violence and displacement of local communities​.

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source:


https://www.vice.com/en/article/4ax479/mexico-sinaloa-cartel-water