Mexican transport organizations protest insecurity and extortion

Transport organizations across Mexico are denouncing a surge in violence, extortion, and economic pressure on federal highways. Leaders from groups such as AMOTAC, CANACAR, and FEMATRAC report that organized crime controls many routes, while some drivers allege that members of the National Guard and federal authorities are involved in extortion and arbitrary inspections.

In several regions, including the center and north of the country, operators face threats of assassination, armed robbery, and excessive fees for services like towing, which can cost up to 300,000 pesos. These security issues are compounded by rising operational costs, including fuel, taxes, and tolls, which drivers claim cannot be passed on to customers due to fixed rates.

In response to these conditions, several organizations have called for a national strike. Government officials from the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) and the Ministry of the Interior (Segob) have held meetings with sector representatives to discuss security demands and regulatory challenges. While Yucatán is cited as an exception with high security standards, transport leaders are demanding federal legislative action and improved highway conditions.