Not even the rain seemed to stop the blockade by residents of the Ocotito Valley and the Sierra de Chilpancingo mountains, who blocked the Mexico-Acapulco federal highway and the Autopista del Sol highway for more than 11 hours. They withdrew from the scene after 7 p.m. on August 6. During those hours, they caused traffic chaos in both directions.
The demonstration left hundreds of motorists stranded, some of them with children, sick people, or on limited budgets to reach their destination. Although the residents claim their struggle is for a legitimate cause—to demand security for their communities—the discontent among those affected has escalated to direct confrontations with the protesters.
“If they’re failing you, go with them, not with us”: motorists demand protesters
In the midst of the blockade, one of the motorists raised his voice and confronted the protesters with a fiery speech that has gone viral. He reminded them that the protests are harming those who come to leave money for the state, and not those truly responsible for the insecurity.
“You voted for them. If they’re failing you, go and burn down their house. If the governor (Evelyn Salgado Pineda) doesn’t listen to you, go to your father’s house (Félix Salgado Macedonio), who was the one who put her there,” the visibly upset citizen demanded, while demanding passage for people who have gone hours without food or enough money to wait another day.
Tensions increased when other motorists joined the protests, and some even proposed loading trucks to clear the way, warning that they are not seeking violence, but that they are desperate.
Demanding security and government attention in Guerrero
Residents have publicly denounced that violence has escalated in their communities, and that they live in constant risk due to the presence of criminal groups. Their main demand is that authorities guarantee security and carry out effective operations in the region.
So far, neither Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado nor federal authorities have responded to the situation directly, further infuriating protesters and motorists alike.
Source: tvazteca
