Forget The Drugs, The Mexican Cartel Has Officially Taken Over The Tortilla Industry And Prices Are Up 61%

Let me begin this blog by saying I want no smoke with the Mexican cartel. In fact, as someone who doesn't feel the effects of the dangers of the cartel, I'm pretty intrigued by the entire situation, which I will detail later. But the way this story goes is that the Mexican cartel continues to run the trafficking of drugs both in the United States, as well as South of the border.....and now they've allocated some of their umm, resources, towards the tortilla industry.

The cartels have gained more political clout by extorting money from a variety of locally owned businesses, including about 15% of the country’s tortillerías, the National Tortilla Council confirmed.

I had to look it up, so blame Google if I'm incorrect, but my understand is that the Baking / Tortilla industry is worth over $200 billion a year in Mexico......so extorting money from 15% of the businesses is no small venture. Tony Montana said it best, "First you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the tortillas, and then you get ALL the money." I mean, I know inflation and production costs are rising, but the article says that the cost of tortilla has raised 61% since the cartel got involved. 61% is BANANAS, but I mean, what is Mexico going to do without tortillas? They can raise them by 200% and people are still going to be eating burritos. But all jokes aside, it does seem like it kinda sucks to operate any sort of business in Mexico these days, as the cartel takes their piece from every single pie imaginable. 

The cartels that are also taking cash from local fishermen, chicken vendors, trucking companies, lumber operations and other businesses.

I mean this is no disrespect to the good people of Mexico, but why would you stay there…..? From what I understand via former United States President that is hoping to try his hand at the profession again, it's not the hardest task to get into the United States these days. And I know there's a lot of factors that must be considered like family and finances and new beginnings, but holy fuck if I owned business and had to deal with shakedowns from the cartel, I'd either (A) become just a general employee or (B) take my business elsewhere. Especially when the going rate for being a tortilla shop that doesn't cooperate is…..getting shot at or getting your business set on fire.

Officials told the Post that tortilla shops that refuse to pay the money cartels demand from them are either set on fire or shot at.

Well that's just absolutely fucking nuts. Maybe I'm naive, but does this happen anywhere in the United States? I know I'm just a white male from the Midwest, but this place doesn't seem so bad when you think about the alternatives….