Mexico-Puebla highway collapses due to blockade

The blockade on the Mexico-Puebla highway, which has been maintained since Tuesday morning by the Puebla farmers of Santa Rita Tlahuapan, has left losses of at least four billion pesos a day.

The National Chamber of Cargo Transport (Canacar) indicated that the economic impact includes the closure of the Arco Norte by the same protesters, who are demanding compensation for their lands, expropriated to build these roads.

Miguel Ángel Martínez, president of the organization, reported that he requested the intervention of Jorge Nuño, Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport, so that the roads are cleared, since their closure affects people, companies and industries that sustain the economy.

Coparmex Puebla called on the federal and state governments to restore circulation, since these roads are vital for the connectivity, economy and security of that region.

In desperation at being stranded, some people broke the metal mesh that divides the lanes of the highway in order to turn their vehicles around and return to the capital of Puebla.

4 billion pesos lost due to blockade

The private sector urged the federal government to intervene to free the highway and the Arco Norte, as the economic damage continues to escalate

The private sector urged the authorities to determine the intervention of the public force to reopen vehicular traffic both on the Mexico-Puebla federal highway and in the Arco Norte, as the blockade, which at the time of this edition had lasted 38 hours, has caused economic losses of 4 billion pesos.

The roads were closed by farmers from Puebla, Tlaxcala and Hidalgo who demand compensation for their lands expropriated for the construction of these roads.

The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), Héctor Sánchez, regretted that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador does not take into account that the blockades represent a crime, which forces the federal government to apply the law to recover these land routes, where cargo units with millions of pesos in merchandise are stranded, in addition to hundreds of people trapped in their vehicles as a result of the demonstrations.

Coparmex Puebla established a similar position in a statement, in which it urged “the federal and state governments to resolve this situation immediately, guaranteeing the free circulation and security of all users of these important communication routes,” especially “given the frequency” of this type of blockades.

At the Central Bus Station, the bus companies have not suspended their trips to the capital of the country; however, they warn their users that the trip could last up to six hours, when it is usually two, and in some cases they even ask them to sign waivers to accept that the trip could take longer than originally planned.

For its part, the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Concamin) called on the federal government to engage in dialogue with the protesters.

After several hours of traffic disruption, we consider it essential to prioritize the opening of dialogue and the building of consensus that will allow the reestablishment of vehicular traffic on this important road.

The Mexico-Puebla highway is a fundamental axis for the transportation of people and goods, and its prolonged blockage generates significant economic and social damages,” the confederation indicated in a statement.

It asked that the necessary measures be taken to guarantee the integrity and well-being of the citizens and transporters affected by the blockade.

The president of the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (Canacar), Miguel Ángel Martínez, also made a strong appeal to the authorities.

He sent a letter to the head of the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, Jorge Nuño Lara, in which he urged them to resolve the blockades as soon as possible.

Secretary of the Interior Javier Aquino Limón said that the state government is trying to mediate in this conflict; however, he said that its participation is limited, since the solution is in the hands of the federal government.

Source: excelsior