Tequila Mayor Arrested in Cartel-Linked Extortion Scandal

Mexican federal authorities have arrested the mayor of Tequila, a town globally known as the birthplace of the iconic agave spirit, over allegations of orchestrating an extortion scheme in collaboration with the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Security officials said Mayor Diego Rivera was detained during coordinated raids that also led to the arrests of the municipality’s security director and senior officials from public works and the land registry. According to Security Minister Omar García Harfuch, the group allegedly ran a corruption network that targeted major beer and tequila producers operating in the region.

Investigators revealed that global drinks giant Becle, producer of the famed Jose Cuervo brand, was among the businesses affected. The company had previously filed a formal complaint accusing the mayor’s administration of charging property taxes up to 20 times the legal rate and issuing fines exceeding 60 million pesos, while also withholding essential permits and attempting to shut down one of its production facilities. Jalisco state authorities later confirmed that at least 10 companies had lodged similar complaints against the local government.

Officials allege Rivera’s network not only extorted private firms but also diverted public funds and maintained ties with the cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. The mayor had earlier drawn attention after images of alleged cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” were projected during a local concert. The case underscores the persistent risks businesses face in parts of Mexico where organized crime continues to intersect with local governance and key industries.

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