The prolonged blockade of Federal Highway 180 highlights escalating social and economic tensions, as the communities of Nuevo Progreso and San Antonio Cárdenas demand decisive action from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) regarding a long-awaited electrical substation.
Despite Undersecretary of Government Luis César Marín Reyes’s attempts to mediate and convince residents to reopen the highway, community leaders remain resolute. Protesters announced that the road would remain closed until Monday, contingent on receiving documented assurances or necessary equipment from the CFE.
Initially expected to conclude yesterday, the blockade has instead seen a partial reopening, allowing small vehicles through at intervals of 30 minutes to two hours. However, community representatives Vladimir García and Francisco May emphasized their distrust of the authorities, citing repeated instances of broken promises.
As of Saturday night, the blockade had entered its 48th hour, causing significant economic disruptions, particularly for cargo trucks bound for the Yucatán Peninsula. Efforts by the National Guard and State Government to broker an end to the impasse have proven unsuccessful.
Undersecretary Marín Reyes acknowledged the longstanding nature of the issue, explaining that solutions require time. During a meeting on Thursday, progress updates were shared with representatives from seven communities and the Municipal Council. However, residents remain dissatisfied, criticizing the lack of transparency and action, and highlighting the severe impact of power outages and voltage fluctuations on their daily lives.
Tensions at the blockade site have escalated, with truck drivers preventing motorcycles and small vehicles from bypassing the roadblock, leading to heated altercations. Reports on social media detail further complications, including children walking long distances to evade the blockade and informal fees of 100 pesos for vehicle passage.
CFE Distribution Superintendent Guillermo Peredo announced plans for a team to visit the site on Monday to address the issue. The team will conduct an engineering survey and potentially commence installing essential materials such as wiring. Meanwhile, the communities of Atasta stand firm in their demands for concrete action.
Source: Por Esto
