A protest blockade on the Transpeninsular Highway in Baja California has left hundreds of cargo trucks stranded for over 48 hours, disrupting the flow of merchandise and perishable goods to the US border.
Residents of a small town about 200 miles south of the US-Mexico border had blocked all traffic, including tractor-trailers loaded with fresh produce and seafood bound for the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California. The protest was sparked by concerns over state government cuts to resources and programs for local schools.
According to Israel Delgado Vallejo, vice president of the Northwest Chapter of the Chamber of Freight Transportation, at least 360 trucks had been affected as of Wednesday evening. “Most of these materials are agricultural in nature or from the ocean,” he said, warning that the blockade could affect the quality of perishable goods.
The protest blockade began on Monday night and continued until Wednesday evening, when some vehicles were allowed to pass through after state officials met with the protesters and negotiated an end to the blockade. By 8 pm on Wednesday, the highway had reopened to all traffic, but not before several hours of delays and disruptions to commercial traffic.
State police said that members of Mexico’s National Guard have been deployed to the area to ensure the highway remains open and safe for travelers. However, protesters warned that they would return if necessary to continue their demands.
The Transpeninsular Highway runs from Tijuana in northern Baja California to Cabo San Lucas, a major tourist destination in southern Baja California Sur. The blockade has highlighted concerns over infrastructure and transportation in the region, as well as tensions between local communities and state authorities.
Source: Border Report
