A recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (Ancham) has highlighted the significant impact of both common and organized crime on businesses in Mexico. The 2024 Business Security Survey revealed that six out of ten companies are “somewhat” or “very” affected by criminal activities, including violent robberies, supply chain attacks, and virtual extortion.
The survey indicated that 12% of the companies believe organized crime has partially taken control of the sale, distribution, and pricing of their products. This alarming statistic underscores the pervasive influence of criminal organizations on the Mexican economy.
According to the survey, 17% of companies reported being “very” affected by crime in the distribution of their products across various regions in the country. Meanwhile, 41% stated they were “somewhat affected,” 19% were slightly affected, and 23% reported no impact.
The survey included a diverse group of companies, with 53% being Mexican-owned and four out of ten being classified as “large” enterprises with more than a thousand employees. These companies are predominantly located in major economic hubs such as Mexico City, Jalisco, Nuevo León, and the State of Mexico.
Interestingly, the survey found an increase in the number of companies that consider themselves safer this year compared to 2023, rising from 17% to 39%. Additionally, the percentage of companies optimistic about the next year being safer grew from 29% to 43%.
Despite this optimism, companies remain deeply concerned about several security issues. The top concerns include the safety of employees and their families (63%), cybersecurity (62%), physical security of facilities (56%), and cargo transportation (50%).
The highest levels of concern were reported in the State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Jalisco. In contrast, Baja California, Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo registered the lowest levels of concern.
The survey identified “corporate identity misuse” and “workplace violence” as the most pressing threats to companies. However, the “absence of the rule of law” was noted as the threat that saw the most significant increase in concern.
Ancham’s analysis pointed out a growing distrust among companies regarding the enforcement of laws and the protection of their rights. An overwhelming 84% of companies felt that the Mexican State was doing “nothing” or “little” to enforce the rule of law. Additionally, 85% believed that illegality in the country was impacting their security, reflecting a nine percentage point increase from the 2023 survey.
The survey also revealed that 52% of companies perceived “little” coordination between different government agencies responsible for security, while 29% believed there was no such coordination at all.
Recommendations for Improving Security
To address these challenges, the survey identified several critical areas for improvement. These include:
- Strengthening Links Between Authorities and the Private Sector: Building stronger collaborations between government bodies and private companies to enhance security measures.
- Training and Professionalization of Police Forces: Enhancing the skills and professionalism of police forces at all three levels of government to effectively combat crime.
- Increasing Surveillance and Protection of Freight Transport: Implementing more robust surveillance and protective measures for cargo transportation to mitigate supply chain attacks.
