Thanks for another excellent piece, Jeanine. I can’t wait to see number three. I have to wonder since the mennonites are involved in illegal deforestation, if they used some people and weapons from the cartels to help with this process. once the Mennonites have a successful farming operation, the cartel probably collects money from them regularly. There’s a lot going on in the state of Michocan with farmer and cartel conflicts.
From what I’m reading, Constance, there seem to be just a handful, relatively speaking, of bad actors on the cartel front. And several key players have been apprehended. In #1 post, the agriculture attaché explained they simply ignore the paperwork and requests re deforestation, but this was several years ago—i think MX got serious in 2025 and is demanding no more razing the forest, and hopefully the pesticide non use too, it affects everything but in QRoo-Yuc the locals are worried about the Melipona bees, and their demise. From hearsay many are moving on, to Bolivia, Angola and back to Chihuahua, where there is still no doubt a cartel presence, too. Another friend told me to do a satellite search of Bacalar, just north of Chetumal, fairly lowkey re tourism or anything till the past few years - gorgeous- to see the land that has been razed west of the coast. Oh my - yes, a lot, and I did not even know the Mennonites were there, thought only Campeche. Saludos!!
You are correct. This article appeared yesterday on the same topic. The Mexican federal government seems to be cracking down, but will it somehow take these lands away, and stop the Mennonites from further deforestation? Who owns much of this land? It appears they are moving quietly and expanding in Yucatán. Are the Mennonites tied in to the municipal and state governments? If the Mennonites are in league with the cartels on masterminding the deforestation, e.g. giving them the timber or even paying a “tax” on their agricultural products, the government officials may be afraid to do anything. https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/yucatan-forest-land-destroyed/
Amazing well-researched article, Jeanine. I am so impressed by the amount of work you did on this and your writing style. You captured my interest from the start and kept it to the very last line. I am looking forward to reading Part 3.
Thanks Lois. I'm going to give my readers a break for a while re #3. Oddly Alberta was a key spot for the drug ring. CBC did extensive interviews with Hanna Gartner, reporter who chased the story, in early 1990s. Pretty interesting but so unbelievable.
It was a well kept secret for a long time. Even now it isn;t really mentioned. I'd first heard of them growing cannabis years ago and thought it was a rumor, but obviously, not. And so it goes, Constance!
I knew of the Mennonite land grabs, stealing and deforestation, but not so much re cartels' bond with them. Of course it's Mexico so why should one worry.
Amazing story, Jeanine, but I believe it because I know you researched it thoroughly. Thanks for posting both of these articles about Mennonites and cartel connections.
Hola Mikel, I think maybe bc it’s primarily a Canadian story, where the religion has a big presence, like Mormon religion is big in Utah, and Amish in PA area. If arrests had been made on US territory (imho) a bigger deal would have been of interest to the media. And all in all, it was a few sectors of leaders who were calling all the shots. But they did it in a big way. And also, the near absurdity of it—seemingly so unreal — kept them under the radar. Sam Quinones first mentioned it I believe, in his second book, that I’d heard of. PS - Sam was interviewed by CBC TV-- re a close call he had when trying to get deeper into the story. He let the story lie after that. If you'd like the link, let me know.
Look out, Angola!
Thanks for restack @Bernardette Hernandez!
Thanks for another excellent piece, Jeanine. I can’t wait to see number three. I have to wonder since the mennonites are involved in illegal deforestation, if they used some people and weapons from the cartels to help with this process. once the Mennonites have a successful farming operation, the cartel probably collects money from them regularly. There’s a lot going on in the state of Michocan with farmer and cartel conflicts.
From what I’m reading, Constance, there seem to be just a handful, relatively speaking, of bad actors on the cartel front. And several key players have been apprehended. In #1 post, the agriculture attaché explained they simply ignore the paperwork and requests re deforestation, but this was several years ago—i think MX got serious in 2025 and is demanding no more razing the forest, and hopefully the pesticide non use too, it affects everything but in QRoo-Yuc the locals are worried about the Melipona bees, and their demise. From hearsay many are moving on, to Bolivia, Angola and back to Chihuahua, where there is still no doubt a cartel presence, too. Another friend told me to do a satellite search of Bacalar, just north of Chetumal, fairly lowkey re tourism or anything till the past few years - gorgeous- to see the land that has been razed west of the coast. Oh my - yes, a lot, and I did not even know the Mennonites were there, thought only Campeche. Saludos!!
You are correct. This article appeared yesterday on the same topic. The Mexican federal government seems to be cracking down, but will it somehow take these lands away, and stop the Mennonites from further deforestation? Who owns much of this land? It appears they are moving quietly and expanding in Yucatán. Are the Mennonites tied in to the municipal and state governments? If the Mennonites are in league with the cartels on masterminding the deforestation, e.g. giving them the timber or even paying a “tax” on their agricultural products, the government officials may be afraid to do anything. https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/yucatan-forest-land-destroyed/
Thanks for restack @Phil and Maude!
Thanks for the restack @Brian Overcast
Fascinating!
Pretty weird , huh?
Thanks for restack @Daniel Catena
Con mucho gusto Jeanine!
Thanks for restack @Priya Iyer
Amazing well-researched article, Jeanine. I am so impressed by the amount of work you did on this and your writing style. You captured my interest from the start and kept it to the very last line. I am looking forward to reading Part 3.
Thanks Lois. I'm going to give my readers a break for a while re #3. Oddly Alberta was a key spot for the drug ring. CBC did extensive interviews with Hanna Gartner, reporter who chased the story, in early 1990s. Pretty interesting but so unbelievable.
I thought the same!!
Thanks for restack Priya!
I am amazed at how complex all of this is and at your extensive research! 🙌
It’s quite under the radar. They’re a presence in QRoo but only recently found out the background, Priya.
I am sure there are plenty of payoffs to ensure they stay under the radar! Just a simple hard-working, bunch of religious farmers.
It was a well kept secret for a long time. Even now it isn;t really mentioned. I'd first heard of them growing cannabis years ago and thought it was a rumor, but obviously, not. And so it goes, Constance!
Thank you Priya.
Fascinating, Jeanine!
Aye Yai Yai.
I knew of the Mennonite land grabs, stealing and deforestation, but not so much re cartels' bond with them. Of course it's Mexico so why should one worry.
Possible mañana.
Amazing story, Jeanine, but I believe it because I know you researched it thoroughly. Thanks for posting both of these articles about Mennonites and cartel connections.
Hola Mikel, I think maybe bc it’s primarily a Canadian story, where the religion has a big presence, like Mormon religion is big in Utah, and Amish in PA area. If arrests had been made on US territory (imho) a bigger deal would have been of interest to the media. And all in all, it was a few sectors of leaders who were calling all the shots. But they did it in a big way. And also, the near absurdity of it—seemingly so unreal — kept them under the radar. Sam Quinones first mentioned it I believe, in his second book, that I’d heard of. PS - Sam was interviewed by CBC TV-- re a close call he had when trying to get deeper into the story. He let the story lie after that. If you'd like the link, let me know.
Loco!
If the police were finally able to arrest Kauenhofen, does it mean that they are finally making headway in breaking the cartels, too?