El Limones' and the growing union disguise of Mexican organized crime

"The executive branch is rapidly accumulating power, thanks to key changes at the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and the groundwork laid in previous months, primarily the National Intelligence Center (CNI) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) of the Ministry of Finance. However, the challenge is immense. Criminals and gangs are increasingly sophisticated in their disguises and protections, while simultaneously strengthening their connections to those in power."

"Now, criminal organizations are masquerading as unions or using legitimate organizations to exploit the legal economy, leaving citizens and business owners in precarious situations. Alerted by citizens and local authorities, the government is monitoring and attempting to dismantle these groups. At least, that's the impression given by its operations in recent months, the most recent being the arrest of Edgar N., alias El Limones, in the La Laguna region of northeastern Mexico."

Mexico's federal government is consolidating authority through reforms at the Attorney General's Office and strengthened intelligence and financial units. Criminal groups have become more sophisticated, disguising operations as unions and legitimate businesses while deepening ties to political power. Organized networks exploit legal channels to launder money, extort ranchers and merchants, and steal fuel, undermining citizens and businesses. Federal operations have targeted such infiltrators, exemplified by the arrest of Edgar N. (El Limones), linked to the Sinaloa Cartel branch Los Cabrera and to the CATEM union. Authorities froze accounts and arrested associates amid allegations of multimillion-dollar unexplained deposits and luxury asset purchases.

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