Javier Vargas's murder will not go unpunished: Security Cabinet

The Security Cabinet of the Government of Mexico offered that the murder of the citrus producer Javier Vargas Arias , which occurred this Thursday in Álamo Temapache, Veracruz , will not go unpunished, through a message on the X account tonight.

"After learning of the murder of a citrus businessman in Álamo Temapache, Veracruz, the Security Cabinet and local authorities are working together to investigate and arrest those responsible. This crime will not go unpunished," the message stated, without mentioning the victim by name.

According to initial investigations, Vargas Arias was working on one of his plots dedicated to orange production when he was executed .

The attack was carried out by armed men who arrived at the Jardín Nuevo community in a white pickup truck , from where they shot the businessman before fleeing the scene.

The municipality of Álamo Temapache was visited this Thursday by President Claudia Sheinbaum, as it is one of the areas hardest hit by the rains of two weeks ago.

On Wednesday, the mayor of that town, Blanca Lilia Arrieta Pardo, was attacked and forced to flee by local residents, amid complaints about the lack of aid and care for the victims.

He was watching the load at the time of execution

Javier Vargas Arias was murdered Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. while he was guarding the conveyor belt used to load and unload tons of oranges and tangerines. The few harvested crops were ready to be shipped to the market, allowing them to get back on their feet quickly. The businessman was known for promoting sustainable practices and supporting community initiatives.

Local producers complained that the tragedy they're experiencing after the devastation caused by natural disasters isn't enough; they also have to deal with organized crime, which insists on extorting them.

"There's no mercy. They don't see what happened, that we almost lost everything. On top of that, they're bleeding us dry with these illegal charges, and even though they say the authorities will act on anonymous reports, there are threats against us and our families," explained a citrus producer who asked to remain anonymous because of the increasing violence against those who report the incident.

jcp