Diego Rivera Navarro, the mayor of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico, has been apprehended by federal authorities for running an extortion scheme targeting a wide range of businesses, including both street vendors and large corporations like José Cuervo. Authorities allege that Rivera was seeking to generate funds to pay off a debt to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), an organized crime group to which he reportedly owed at least 120 million pesos. This revelation came as part of a broader investigation led by the Attorney General's Office and the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, which uncovered a pattern of corrupt behavior involving municipal officials.

The investigation details various intimidation tactics used by Rivera Navarro to enforce his extortion demands, ranging from verbal threats to violent physical assaults on individuals who refused to comply. In one documented incident, the mayor was reported to have slapped a merchant multiple times in public after he declined to pay extortion fees. This incident, among others, illustrates the grave situation faced by local business owners in Tequila, demonstrating how local governance can become intertwined with organized crime.

The implications of Rivera's actions extend beyond individual assaults; his ties to the CJNG and the rampant corruption within local government raise serious concerns about the rule of law in the region. As federal authorities crack down on such abuses of power, the case serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing struggles against corruption and organized crime in Mexico. This case may lead to greater scrutiny of local officials and a potential re-evaluation of public safety measures in areas heavily impacted by cartel activity.