Mexico and Ecuador confront rising cattle theft

In the Mexican state of Aguascalientes, authorities report continued clandestine slaughter and abduction of livestock. Gerardo Salas, president of the State Agricultural Council, said the legal framework already imposes severe penalties, but enforcement must be strengthened. A specialized unit is operating to combat the crime and encourage reporting.

In Ecuador, ranchers and agricultural groups presented a draft National Rural Security Plan and called for tougher sanctions for abigeato. Ricardo Izurieta, interim president of the Association of Ranchers of the Sierra and Oriente, urged reforms to the Organic Integral Penal Code, arguing that current sentences of one to three years – up to seven with violence – are insufficient. The proposal cites 1,456 reported cases and significant economic losses for small producers, and outlines eight strategic pillars to curb the theft.

Both countries are seeking stronger law‑enforcement measures to protect the livestock sector from organized cattle‑theft networks.