Transporters accuse authorities of extortion at Chihuahua checkpoints

The National Confederation of Mexican Transporters (Conatram) has accused authorities of failing to address a wave of extortion targeting cargo transport at checkpoints. Édgar Olivas Balderrama, the group's leader, alleged that agents from the Attorney General's Office (FGR) are fabricating crimes at checkpoints on the route between Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez to demand money in exchange for releasing vehicles.

Balderrama stated that while these abuses occur throughout the country, they are particularly prevalent on the highway connecting the state capital to Ciudad Juárez, as well as on state roads. He criticized the effectiveness of monthly dialogue meetings with various levels of government, claiming authorities evade responsibility and fail to provide solutions.

Additionally, the Mayor of Delicias, Jesús Valenciano García, recently pointed to personnel from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) for causing significant disturbances at road checkpoints. He noted difficulty in contacting command staff to address these complaints.