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Transport security crisis: Cargo theft and extortion impact Mexico and Peru
Transport and logistics sectors in Mexico and Peru are facing significant security challenges due to cargo theft, extortion, and violent attacks. In Mexico, the National Chamber of Freight Transport (Canacar) has alleged complicity between criminal groups and toll booth personnel. Specifically, the Esperanza toll booth in Mexico has been accused of turning off lights during early morning hours to facilitate robberies. Additionally, criminals are reportedly using cloned patrol vehicles to intercept trucks.
In the State of Mexico, while official data from the SESNSP shows a 40.7% decrease in extortion and a 22.4% drop in cargo theft during the first half of 2026, regional trends in the Toluca Valley tell a different story. In that area, violent cargo theft rose by 43.8%.
In Peru, public transport companies are increasingly forced to self-fund security measures, such as installing steel cabins, bulletproof glass, and GPS tracking systems. This shift follows warnings from police officials that there are insufficient officers to provide escorts for all transport units, leaving drivers vulnerable to organized crime and targeted shootings.
Entities
Association of Urban Transport Coordinators · CANACAR · CAPUFE · José Carlos Gilibert Peña · State of Mexico
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Transport companies are installing steel cabins, bulletproof glass, cameras, and GPS to protect drivers from attacks. n60.pe
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Extortion in the State of Mexico decreased by 40.7% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. lajornadaestadodemexico.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Canacar has detected alleged internal complicity at toll booths that facilitates cargo theft. www.elbuentono.com.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Esperanza toll booth, operated by Capufe, reportedly turns off its lights around 2:00 or 3:00 AM, creating conditions for criminal activity. www.elbuentono.com.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There are insufficient police officers to provide security escorts for all public transport units. n60.pe
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Criminals are reportedly using cloned patrol vehicles to force trucks to stop. www.elbuentono.com.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Violent cargo theft in the Toluca Valley increased by 43.8% in the first half of 2026. lajornadaestadodemexico.com