Blockade on Mexico‑Puebla Highway Over Missing Maricela Ruiz

Families and protestors blocked the Mexico‑Puebla highway near Ixtapaluca on 22 July 2026 demanding the location of Maricela Ruiz García, who has been missing since 16 July. The blockage halted traffic in both directions, creating a three‑kilometre jam and prompting deployment of Guard National road‑security units and state security officials. Demonstrators set up signs and pledged to remain until authorities committed to accelerating the search and reviewing surveillance footage. After several hours of dialogue between families, a search‑team commission and state officials, the blockade was lifted and traffic was gradually reopened on the following day.

The protest follows a prior blockade earlier in the week that was similarly resolved after talks, underscoring the community’s pressure on the State of Mexico’s Justice Prosecutor’s Office to intensify the investigation into the disappearance.