Mexico City launches comprehensive crackdown on illegal property dispossessions

The government of Mexico City announced a coordinated plan to combat illegal property despojo. The strategy includes a Public Defender Office for Despojo staffed by 100 lawyers, a specialized court unit, and a rapid restitution protocol that aims to secure seized properties within 15 days and begin judicial proceedings within 30 days. Penalties for despojo can reach up to 22 years in prison, and the authorities say they will target criminal networks such as Los Rodolfos, the Union Tepito, Anti‑Unión and the Cartel of Tláhuac.

A high‑profile case highlighted the controversy: on 16 July, the building at Cairo 266 in the Azcapotzalco borough was seized and families were evicted without a visible court order, affecting 36‑40 households. Critics argue the operation bypassed constitutional safeguards. In a related action, the Fiscalía General de Justicia secured the home of renowned muralist Jorge González Camarena in Del Valle after a family reported a possible despojo.

Data from the Citizen Council for Security and Justice show that elderly residents are the most vulnerable, accounting for 37 % of despojo complaints between 2021 and 2028, with 35 % of those cases involving a family member. The council recorded 1,234 reports, underscoring the need for the new preventive and legal measures.