Taxi driver murdered in Veracruz post-Irma Hernández case, violence and fear continue to reign
In recent times, the state of Veracruz, Mexico, has seen a sharp increase in extortion and violence against taxi drivers. This unsettling trend has left the industry and local communities reeling, as drivers face a myriad of threats, including kidnapping, murder, and threats for refusing to pay protection money demanded by organized crime groups.
One of the most tragic examples of this ongoing violence is the case of Irma Hernández, a 62-year-old retired teacher who supplemented her income by driving a taxi. On July 18, 2025, she was kidnapped by members of "La Mafia Veracruzana" for her refusal to pay extortion fees. A chilling video, widely circulated online, showed her surrounded by armed cartel members demanding money from taxi drivers. Tragically, her body was found six days later in a rural area. Her death has become a national symbol of the brutal violence and impunity faced by transport workers in Veracruz.
Another disturbing incident occurred in Tuxpan, where a taxi driver was shot during an attack on July 26. Despite surviving the initial assault, he faced a second attempt on his life inside the hospital, where a hitman posing as a relative tried to kill him. Sadly, his father intervened and was murdered. This incident followed another killing of a taxi driver on the Tuxpan-Cazones highway just weeks earlier, at the hands of armed men on motorcycles.
These events paint a picture of a growing environment of fear and insecurity for taxi drivers in Veracruz. Many drivers are forced to make the impossible choice of paying protection money or risking violence. This climate of terror threatens their livelihoods and safety.
Despite the federal government's "National Strategy Against Extortion," critics argue that law enforcement and judicial authorities have largely failed to protect vulnerable workers or prosecute criminal groups effectively. This failure has contributed to a perception of "deep systemic problems," including alleged collusion between criminals and corrupt officials.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, calling for a thorough investigation into the death of Irma Hernández. Human rights organizations have also warned about the normalization of these attacks, urging the government to take immediate action to ensure the safety of taxi drivers and other vulnerable workers.
As the violence continues, many taxi drivers have stopped operating their vehicles out of fear. For those who continue to work, the risk is ever-present. The future of the taxi industry in Veracruz hangs in the balance, as the government grapples with addressing the root causes of this escalating violence.
[1] Veracruz Daily Post, July 27, 2025 [2] Guillermo Ortega, July 28, 2025 [3] Human Rights Watch, August 3, 2025 [4] Amnesty International, August 5, 2025 [5] Veracruz Prosecutor's Office, August 7, 2025
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