# Transport security crisis in Mexico and Peru

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/transport-security-crisis-in-mexico-and-peru
> Updated: 2026-09-21T00:50:51.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

The transport and logistics sectors in Mexico and Peru are experiencing a security crisis driven by 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 noting that the Esperanza toll booth has reportedly turned off lights to facilitate robberies. Criminals are also using cloned patrol vehicles to intercept trucks.

While some official data in the State of Mexico indicated a decrease in extortion and cargo theft during the first half of 2026, regional trends in the Toluca Valley showed a 43.8% rise in violent cargo theft. In Peru, insufficient police escorts have forced public transport companies to self-fund security measures, including bulletproof glass and GPS tracking.

By late September, the situation in Mexico escalated significantly. Álvaro Guillermo Martínez Aguilar of the National Association of Carriers (ANTAC) reported that daily cargo thefts have surged from approximately 16–18 trucks in previous years to between 60 and 70 trucks per day. Martínez Aguilar criticized government authorities for failing to respond effectively and denounced the use of fake checkpoints, where transporters are allegedly forced to pay extortion fees of 20,000 to 30,000 pesos.

## Claims

- Irregular fare increases of up to 80% have been reported in Cochabamba. (disputed by 2 sources)
- The ATT has not authorized any increase in transport tariffs. (disputed)
- The elimination of the diesel subsidy has created a debt of approximately $1.5 billion owed to suppliers. (single source)
- Infrastructure project costs could increase by up to 30% due to the rise in diesel prices. (single source)
- Former President Jorge Quiroga attributed the economic crisis to the mismanagement of gas and dollar reserves by the MAS administration. (single source)
- An IMF loan of $1.9 billion is reportedly conditioned on the elimination of the fuel subsidy. (single source)
- The removal of the diesel subsidy increased fuel prices from Bs 9.80 to Bs 17.95 per liter. (single source)
- Interdepartmental passenger numbers have decreased by up to 50% following the removal of diesel subsidies. (single source)
- Fare increases between 30% and 40% were detected in La Paz. (single source)
- Fare increases of approximately 40% were detected in Santa Cruz. (single source)
- Fare increases between 10% and 20% were detected in Tarija. (single source)
- Fare increases between 20% and 25% were detected in Sucre. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Bolivia and Argentina face rising costs amid subsidy reductions

Bolivia faces irregular transport fare hikes of up to 80% following diesel subsidy removals, while Argentina plans tariff increases to reduce public subsidy spending by $800 million by 2027.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-cargo-theft-rises-to-70-trucks-per-day

### 2026-09-12: Transport security crisis: Cargo theft and extortion impact Mexico and Peru

Transport sectors in Mexico and Peru face rising security threats, including cargo theft, extortion, and violent attacks, prompting companies to implement private armor and monitoring due to insufficient police

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/transport-security-crisis-cargo-theft-and-extortion-impact-mexico-and-peru

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Cite as: Transport security crisis in Mexico and Peru. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/transport-security-crisis-in-mexico-and-peru
