News / Mexican truckers block major roads in nationwide protest at rising cargo crime

On Monday Mexican truckers, in tandem with agricultural producers, staged nationwide blockades of major traffic arteries and logistics bottlenecks to protest about worsening highway crime and bureaucratic hurdles.

The action followed a number of similar protests – and more could follow.

The protests played out in 14 states. Access roads to the Mexico City area, major highways from the capital to Toluca and Queretaro, and roads to Guadalajara and Veracruz were affected, as well as the Ciudad Juarez border crossing to the US and the customs facility in Nogales.

They were organised by the National Association of Carriers (ANTAC), in collaboration with the National Front for the Rescue of Mexican Agriculture and the Farmer Agricultural Movement, to protest about increased attacks on the roads and the lack of effective security measures from federal and state governments, to draw attention to the plight of truckers and agricultural producers, and to call for administrative reforms.

Highway crime has plagued Mexico for decades, and is getting worse: between January and October more than 2,000 highway robberies were reported, with more than 80% involving violence.

Truckers have criticised the lack of co-ordination between federal, state and municipal law enforcement and called for concrete security measures, including interoperability of crime databases, alignment of tracking mechanisms, protocols for protection, and heightened vigilance.

On the agricultural producers’ side, demands range from reform of procedures for registrations and licences to competitive pricing.

ANTAC pointed out that truckers that fall victim to highway crime face higher insurance premiums, as well as losing contracts, damage to reputation, and legal costs, especially if they are hit more than once.

On the national level, there are worries that cargo crime could undermine Mexico’s attraction as a near-shoring location and become a handicap in the looming review of the free-trade agreement with the US.

US interest groups have voiced the same concerns. The National Foreign Trade Council argued that robberies posed a danger to logistics and could impede the industrial integration of Mexico and the US.

The federal government signalled its readiness to continue talking with the protesters, but after 316 meetings with transport interests and over 200 sessions with representatives from the agriculture sector in recent weeks, hopes for a breakthrough have been understandably dim, resulting in the nationwide protest.

Earlier protests include agricultural producers staging isolated road blockades for five days until 31 October.

Carlos Duron, president of Mexpress, which operates an expedited truck service between US and Mexican airports, reported that Tuesday saw intermittent activity at the border.

More protests could follow. According to one report, truckers and agriculture producers have warned that they would block border crossings if their demands are not heeded.