From very early in the morning, citizens of the municipality of Huimanguillo occupied the Sánchez Magallanes toll booth to block vehicular traffic on the Cárdenas–Coatzacoalcos federal highway in both directions. Taxi drivers later joined in, blocking the freeway.
The demonstration, which no authorities have yet provided any explanation for, began around 10:00 a.m., crossing two trailers on both sides of the federal toll road, creating an intense traffic jam with miles of lines of vehicles of all types.
Drivers were forced to use the freeway to avoid the demonstration until a group of at least eight local taxis blocked the lanes.
For its part, the official account of the Federal Highways and Bridges Authority (Capufe) reported the closure of the Sánchez Magallanes toll plaza at 10:19 a.m., recommending an hour later that traffic use the Las Choapas-Ocozocoautla highway as an alternate route, diverting at km 85 to the freeway toward Chontalpa-Huimanguillo-Cárdenas.
University Avenue blocked due to CFE power outage
Citizens blocked the intersection of Universidad Avenue and Ramón Mendoza Avenue due to a CFE power outage.
They also revealed that “the relevant authorities are on site in talks with protesters about opening the lanes,” however, they could not guarantee a timely release.
The blockade continues to this day, with temperatures complicating the situation at 38°C (100°F) with a wind chill of 46°C (111°F), a situation already being expressed by motorists on social media with displeasure.
The Olmeca Tactical Intervention and Reaction Force (FIRT) has intensified operations in both municipalities to locate the mechanics.
It is worth noting that near the Sánchez Magallanes toll booth is the town of Palo Mulato in the municipality of Huimanguillo, where a group of mechanics disappeared. This area, in addition to Cárdenas, is under intense operations by the Olmeca Tactical Intervention and Reaction Force (FIRT) to locate the workers.
Motorists are advised to avoid driving on both highways or seek alternate routes unless necessary.
Source: oem
