According to a report by Mongabay, the illegal expansion of palm oil production in Mexico, particularly in the areas Chiapas, Campeche, Tabasco, and Veracruz, has led to significant deforestation. Between 2014 and 2019, at least 5,400 hectares of forests and jungle were lost due to oil palm cultivation. Now, the plantations are beginning to encroach on protected areas, such as the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve. During the 1990s, Mexican state programmes promoted palm oil cultivation, emphasising its superior economic benefits. This has pushed farmers towards the commodity, which has been very profitable for local communities. But now, research indicates that oil palm plantations have replaced not only cattle pastures and agricultural lands but also young forests and high jungle areas. Significant deforestation has been detected in municipalities like Benemérito de las Américas, Marqués de Comillas, Palenque, and Salto de Agua, and has affected critical ecosystems. As major companies begin to expand beyond permit areas, acquisition is becoming increasingly illegal, sometimes carried out without proper authorisation for land-use changes.