The Alianza Mexicana de Organización de Transportistas AC (AMOTAC) has declared a nationwide road blockade across all 32 states in Mexico, timed to coincide with the World Cup match between Mexico’s national football team and the Czech Republic at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday. This protest aims to press the government for more robust measures against highway insecurity, highlighting issues such as violent cargo thefts and alleged extortion by authorities. Additionally, the group is pushing for a reduction in operating expenses like towing fees, municipal access permits, licensing charges, vehicle registration fees, and certification costs.
In response to these demands, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the government is developing new strategies to enhance highway security. Plans are underway for a specialized road-monitoring system, akin to a public security command center, designed to bolster surveillance and response mechanisms on major highways. Despite these governmental assurances, AMOTAC remains firm in its decision to proceed with the protest, cautioning that truck convoys might head toward Mexico City’s central square if their demands continue to be unmet.
This protest is expected to significantly impact traffic on several major routes connecting Mexico City to nearby areas, including highways leading to Pachuca, Chalco, Querétaro, Puebla, and Cuernavaca. The demonstrations are likely to cause considerable disruptions, especially as thousands of fans travel to attend the football match. AMOTAC’s history of similar protests includes a large-scale demonstration last December, where they joined forces with farmers for nationwide road blockades, which led to negotiations with government officials.
Cargo theft poses a severe challenge in Mexico’s transportation sector, with official statistics indicating around 8,000 cargo robberies annually, averaging more than 20 incidents daily. Violence is prevalent, with most reports involving attacks on drivers. In the first ten months of 2025 alone, over 5,200 transport thefts were recorded. AMOTAC emphasizes the urgent need for stronger security measures to protect drivers and ensure safer transport operations across the country, insisting that their demands focus on security and working conditions rather than political issues.