The Alianza Mexicana de Organización de Transportistas AC (AMOTAC) has declared a nationwide road blockade across all 32 Mexican states, set for Wednesday. This protest aligns with the World Cup match between the Mexico national football team and the Czech Republic national football team at the Estadio Azteca. The transport group is pushing for the government to take more decisive action against highway insecurity, which includes rampant cargo thefts and alleged extortion by authorities. Additionally, they are lobbying for a reduction in operational costs such as towing fees, municipal access permits, licensing charges, vehicle registration fees, and certification costs.
In response to these concerns, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the government is developing new strategies to enhance highway security. Among these plans is the implementation of a specialized road-monitoring system analogous to a public security command center, designed to bolster surveillance and response capabilities on major highways. Despite these assurances, AMOTAC remains committed to its protest, stating that if their demands are not met, truck convoys may head toward Mexico City’s central square. The organization emphasizes that the ongoing lack of effective solutions compels transport workers to take action in order to highlight the sector’s pressing issues.
The demonstrations are anticipated to disrupt several major routes that connect Mexico City with surrounding areas, including highways leading to Pachuca, Chalco, Querétaro, Puebla, and Cuernavaca. This could cause significant traffic delays, especially as thousands of fans are expected to travel for the football match. Historically, AMOTAC has organized similar protests, such as in December when they collaborated with farmers to stage nationwide road blockades that subsequently led to discussions with government officials. The group maintains that its demands are centered on security and working conditions rather than political motives.
Cargo theft continues to pose a significant challenge for Mexico’s transport sector. Statistics show that around 8,000 cargo robberies occur annually, averaging more than 20 incidents daily. Such crimes are often violent, with attacks on drivers being common in reported cases. In the first ten months of 2025 alone, there were over 5,200 transport thefts recorded. AMOTAC argues that there is an urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect drivers and ensure safer transport operations across the nation.