Mexican farmers threaten protests and seek aid amid severe drought

Agricultural producers in Mexico are facing severe economic threats due to historic drought conditions, leading to calls for government intervention and threats of civil action.

In Guerrero, peasant organizations are requesting that the state be declared a disaster zone. Leaders report that approximately 500,000 hectares of maize may go unharvested, with some regions facing a 100% loss of crops. The drought is expected to impact the local economy and food security through 2027. Representatives from the National Confederation of Peasants (CNC) and the National Union of Agricultural Workers noted that crops have failed to develop, leaving only spikes without corn.

In the Suchiate municipality, producers have threatened to blockade the Suchiate II border crossing to Guatemala if federal and state authorities do not provide effective solutions. The border crossing facilitates daily trade valued at approximately 200 million pesos. Local leaders expressed that current agricultural insurance coverage is insufficient, noting that production costs exceed 15,000 pesos per hectare while insurance payouts are only around 2,000 pesos.