# Criminal violence and extortion in Mexico

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-violence-and-extortion-in-mexico
> Updated: 2026-09-25T20:24:22.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

In late September 2026, a series of violent incidents and criminal threats emerged in Mexico, particularly in the state of Puebla. Initial reports detailed the death of Mateo Hernández, the 16-year-old son of the Mayor of Tecamachalco, who was found dead following a kidnapping. Other notable incidents in the region included a fatal shooting in Aguascalientes.

On September 25, 2026, details emerged regarding the death of Rubén Alberto Curiel Tejeda, the General Legal Coordinator for the Secretariat of Anticorruption and Good Government in Puebla. His body was discovered inside a vehicle in the third basement level of the CIS Angelópolis government complex. While witnesses reported hearing a firearm discharge, preliminary investigations by the Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE) suggest the death may have been self-inflicted due to a gunshot wound. The FGE has kept the investigation open to clarify the circumstances. Curiel Tejeda had previously served as the Specialized Prosecutor for Combating Corruption before being dismissed in July 2026.

Following the death of the mayor’s son, merchants in Tecamachalco reported receiving extortion threats. Criminal elements reportedly used the kidnapping and homicide as a psychological tactic to intimidate business owners, demanding payments to ensure they were ‘aligned’ with the organization. In response, the Puebla State Public Security Secretariat increased surveillance and coordinated patrols between the State Preventive Police and the National Guard to address the rising criminal intimidation.

## Claims

- The body was found inside a vehicle in the basement parking of the CIS Angelópolis. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Curiel Tejeda served as the General Legal Coordinator for the Secretariat of Anticorruption and Good Government. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Preliminary evidence suggests a possible self-inflicted death. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The investigation remains open to clarify all circumstances of the death. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- He was formerly the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor for Puebla. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Rubén Alberto Curiel Tejeda was found dead with a gunshot wound. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Workers at the complex reported hearing what sounded like a gunshot. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- He was dismissed from his previous role in July 2026 due to performance issues. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-25: Tecamachalco merchants report extortion threats and criminal intimidation

Merchants in Tecamachalco, Puebla, face extortion threats of up to 200,000 pesos. Authorities have increased surveillance following audio recordings where criminals used the mayor's son's death as a threat.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tecamachalco-merchants-report-extortion-threats-and-criminal-intimidation

### 2026-09-24: Rubén Alberto Curiel Tejeda found dead in Puebla government complex

Rubén Alberto Curiel Tejeda, a high-ranking anti-corruption official in Puebla, was found dead in a vehicle at the CIS Angelópolis. Authorities are investigating a possible suicide.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/irapuato-two-students-killed-in-furniture-store-shooting

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Cite as: Criminal violence and extortion in Mexico. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-violence-and-extortion-in-mexico