Veracruz Congress toughens penalties for cattle rustling and illegal livestock trafficking

Lawmakers in Veracruz, Mexico, have approved significant legal reforms aimed at combating the pervasive issue of cattle rustling. The state, which boasts one of Mexico's largest cattle herds, has seen an increase in abigeato, prompting legislative action.

The reforms, passed with 44 votes in favor, amend the Penal Code to reclassify abigeato and specifically criminalize the illegal trafficking of livestock. This move is intended to deter the commission of these crimes, bolster criminal prosecution efforts, and ensure that sentences are proportionate to the social harm caused.

Under the new legislation, individuals found guilty of abigeato face prison sentences of six to twelve years and fines. These penalties increase to six to fifteen years in prison for the theft or illegal disposal of bovine or equine livestock. The reforms also define abigeato as unlawfully taking possession of livestock, disposing of livestock whose possession has been transferred but not ownership, or slaughtering livestock without proper consent.

Furthermore, the reforms introduce penalties for illegal cattle trafficking. Those involved in moving livestock without proper health, movement, or ownership documentation, or those who facilitate the illicit origin of animals, face three to eight years in prison and substantial fines. These measures draw upon legal models from other Mexican states like Tabasco, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa, which have implemented similar protections for the primary agricultural sector.