Tired of promises, they resorted to blocking federal highways in northern Veracruz to demand the rehabilitation of the Tampico-Tantoyuca and Pánuco-Tempoal sections.
Since 9:00 a.m. this Monday, a group of residents closed a federal section that connects to the port of Tampico, placing awnings, boards and banners with slogans directed at the State Government.
The Pánuco-Tempoal highway is one of the most abandoned, say residents of neighboring communities, who are tired of unfulfilled promises from state authorities, making the claim to Governor Cuitláhuac García Jiménez, who ends his term on November 30.
They report that from flat tires to fatal accidents have occurred due to the large number of potholes that exist along the highway, being a constant danger, both for buses and individuals.
“He promised us that he would fix the road, the governor told us when he wanted his vote, we gave it to him and what happened? We have been here for 17 years waiting for the road to be fixed, we want an immediate solution, we are going to stay here day and night, because we are fed up with promises.”
Blockades in northern Veracruz
The blockades were carried out near the town of Molino, where a representative of the governor arrived, but he did not give them a solution and they demanded that someone come from Xalapa to really give them a date for the start of the rehabilitation work.
Many families had to walk to get to their communities because they were affected by the blockade of the federal highway, others waited for a ride in vans because they had to get off the buses that were stranded by the blockade that lasted for more than 10 hours and that could continue in the following days if they do not get a favorable response.
They were only allowing ambulances and emergency units to pass, keeping boards and cardboard exposed as a barricade.
Upon reaching the junction with El Higo, Veracruz and towards Tempoal, road closures were also carried out by the organization “Pueblos Unidos”, who demand the prompt rehabilitation of the federal highway Tampico-Tantoyuca. The population of northern Veracruz travels for several kilometers on roads that have claimed the lives of several people in accidents in their attempt to avoid the enormous potholes that exist and that have already gone viral on social networks.
The parade of people begins at dawn. As soon as they cross the “El Moralillo” bridge, which connects the state of Veracruz with Tamaulipas, the “jiggling” of the people who travel daily in private vehicles and public transportation to their jobs and homes begins. Kilometers further on, things are no different, especially for the residents of the state of Veracruz, who, tired of the deterioration of the main access to their communities, organized to close the way to all types of vehicles.
A couple of kilometers ahead of Pánuco is the community of El Molinito; before reaching the point, private cars, cargo vans, foreign buses and trailers can be seen stranded on the side of the road. In the background, a blue canvas tent protects from the sun’s rays the hundreds of people who demand that the authorities repair their road.
“We are tired of so many promises, so many lies from politicians who come to ask us for our vote when they are candidates. We are not going to move from here until Governor Cuitlahuac comes, we do not want any more promises or their representatives,” says Mrs. Rosario Tolentino with disgust.
While the complainants express their anger, the drivers of the heavy vehicles cover themselves from the incandescent rays of the sun under the trailer, hydrating themselves with water and soda because they know that the blockade will last a long time.
The slogans continue behind the improvised wall with wooden platforms where there are also colored posters and blankets with writings to demand the prompt repair of the road, since it is practically full of potholes.
The exchange of bad experiences in their transfers on the asphalt continues in some people, while others take advantage to serve the zacahuil prepared to feed the protesting community.
“I humbly have my ‘little truck’, in it I was moving to go and come, now it is all broken and nobody pays for the damages,” one person among those present can be heard saying. The complainants assured that they will not leave where they have placed themselves…
Source: milenio
