Striking truck drivers block key Mexican highways over lawlessness

striking truck drivers block key mexican highways over lawlessness

Striking truck drivers block a highway in Jorobas to protest lawlessness on the roads that have led to a rise in robberies and extortion, in Jorobas, State of Mexico, Mexico February 15, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Striking truck drivers blocked key Mexican transport arteries on Thursday, jamming vital highways to protest lawlessness on the roads that has led to a rise in robberies and extortion.

striking truck drivers block key mexican highways over lawlessness

Striking truck drivers block a highway in Jorobas to protest lawlessness on the roads that have led to a rise in robberies and extortion, in Jorobas, State of Mexico, Mexico February 15, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero

Traffic on at least nine highways was affected by the protests, according to local media reports.

Rafael Ortiz, leader of transport group Amotac, told local media that more strikes could be called if the government does not meet their demands.

Ortiz urged the government to boost security, noting that between one and two truck drivers are killed every month on the roads due to the lack of safety.

striking truck drivers block key mexican highways over lawlessness

A barricade is pictured as striking truck drivers demonstrate in a protest blocking the Chihuahua-Ciudad Juarez federal highway to cargo trucks to demand from the federal government security on the roads and an end to violence in the country, in Chihuahua, Mexico 15 February, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

The road blockades erected by the striking drivers are “unfounded and unjustified,” Mexico’s government said in a statement on Thursday, adding that Amotac representatives decided to stop negotiations on Wednesday even as progress was being made.

In a statement, Amotac, the drivers’ group leading the strike, called on the government to ensure safety on the roads as well as end fees to transit certain highways and municipal tolls for loading goods, among other measures.

striking truck drivers block key mexican highways over lawlessness

Striking truck drivers demonstrate in a protest blocking the Chihuahua-Ciudad Juarez federal highway to cargo trucks to demand from the federal government security on the roads and an end to violence in the country, in Chihuahua, Mexico 15 February, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

Mexico’s government said some agreements had been reached with other organizations to improve safety, such as strengthening federal inspections of double-articulated tractor-trailers, and the deployment of 600 officials of the National Guard and 2,000 radio patrol cars.

striking truck drivers block key mexican highways over lawlessness

A driver on the highway stands affected by striking truck drivers blocking the Chihuahua-Ciudad Juarez federal highway to cargo trucks to demand from the federal government security on the roads and an end to violence in the country, in Chihuahua, Mexico 15 February, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

The government said in its statement it was still open to dialogue.

(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Sandra Maler)

striking truck drivers block key mexican highways over lawlessness

Striking truck drivers block a highway in Jorobas to protest lawlessness on the roads that have led to a rise in robberies and extortion, in Jorobas, State of Mexico, Mexico February 15, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero

striking truck drivers block key mexican highways over lawlessness

Striking truck drivers demonstrate in a protest blocking the Chihuahua-Ciudad Juarez federal highway to cargo trucks to demand from the federal government security on the roads and an end to violence in the country, in Chihuahua, Mexico 15 February, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

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