A view of Mexico's lower house of Congress on the day it proposed adjustments to the details of a contentious reform that abolishes several regulatory bodies, aiming to ensure compliance with the USMCA trade agreement, in Mexico City, Mexico November 21, 2024, REUTERS/Luis Cortes

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's lower house of congress approved a bill on Tuesday to prevent, investigate and punish extortion with prison terms of up to 42 years.

The bill targets a crime that has climbed to record levels this year, rising 7% in the first six months to 5,887 registered victims.

* Extortion is the only crime that President ClaudiaSheinbaum has acknowledged she has failed to reduce during herfirst year in office. * The lower house also approved reforms to unify thedefinition of extortion nationwide and standardize penalties,which previously varied by state. Under the new rules,authorities will investigate and prosecute the crime ex officio,allowing victims to report anonymously. * Officials who fail to report extortion could face 10 to20 years in prison, while prison authorities or public servantswho facilitate it could be jailed for 15 to 25 years. Inmatesand penitentiary staff using or allowing electronic devices willface six to 12 years in prison. * "Extortion is the fastest-growing crime in Mexico, andwe clearly cannot continue to allow it. Today, millions of womenand men in this country have to pay an illegal tax, and they payit to extortionists, to criminals," said opposition lawmakerKenia Lopez, who heads the lower house. * The bill still requires approval by a majority of statelegislatures to take effect. Officials hope the measures willincrease reporting of extortion, which currently goes unreportedin an estimated 96.7% of cases due to distrust in authorities.

(Reporting by Diego Ore; Editing by Nia Williams and Kylie Madry)