Mexican farmers and truckers want only one thing: to be heard. Since that hasn’t happened—according to their testimonies—they are going to resort to new measures, having just announced a national strike on November 24th, along with highway blockades and the takeover of customs offices.
The National Association of Truckers (ANTAC) and the National Front for the Rescue of the Countryside (FNRCM) announced this action on Tuesday in front of the National Palace. They are demanding things like price guarantees and reforms to the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
“The form of protest will once again be the highways; we are going to block the transit of goods. We will not obstruct the passage of private vehicles or passenger transport. Furthermore, we will take over customs offices as a maximum form of pressure to get the federal government to listen to us,” stated Baltazar Valdez, president of the FNRCM.
Valdez asked that their struggle be heard by the highest authority in the country, President Claudia Sheinbaum. Meanwhile, agricultural activities and trucking will go on strike in at least 25 states where ANTAC and FNRCM are present.
What are the demands of farmers and truckers?
In a statement, the FNRCM commented that for several years now, national food production in Mexico has been declining due to factors such as high production costs, lack of financing, climate change, lack of generational succession, and unfair trade practices.
It is for this and other equally important reasons that producers have been organizing in most states of the country and have created the National Front for the Rescue of Mexican Agriculture.
Since September 24, at a forum held at the UNAM Economics Forum, the Front concluded that the following are its proposals:
That the Mexican State recognize national agriculture: they want a national financing system, as well as market control mechanisms.
Grains excluded from the USMCA trade agreement under review: They want grains to be independent of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, as this trading mechanism only serves speculation.
Establish a development bank for the agricultural and fishing sector: They believe the primary sector lacks financing sources to strengthen this activity.
Publication of guaranteed prices for all food production: They want the government to publish a price list based on production costs plus a minimum profit margin of 30%.
Participate in the review and drafting of the National Water Law proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum: They oppose the decoupling of the water-land relationship in certain articles.
So now you know there will be a national strike by farmers and truckers, so take precautions if you’re traveling by road.
Source: radioformula
