Taxi drivers and public transportation drivers from southern Zacatecas blocked Federal Highway 54 and Highway 70 on Monday, disrupting traffic to Aguascalientes and Jalisco. The protesters are demanding increased security in the region and the release of one of their colleagues.
The blockades remain in place on the Calvillo-Aguascalientes stretch, the Acapulquito-northern access road, and the El Remudadero de Arriba intersection on the southern access road. Hundreds of transport workers have been stranded in the area.
Samuel Fernández, a protester, stated:
“All we know is that he was arrested on Saturday, and we haven’t heard anything about him since. We are supporting all our colleagues because we know they are good people. We have three roadblocks, and we hope the Attorney General’s Office will meet with us and tell us what will happen to our colleague.”
The Zacatecas State Attorney General’s Office (FGJEZ) reported on Monday that the arrests occurred during coordinated operations. In El Chique, Tabasco, four people from Guerrero, Durango, Aguascalientes, and Zacatecas were arrested in the act of putting up banners. In Ojocaliente, two men from Aguascalientes were also arrested for putting up banners with criminal messages. Additionally, three more were apprehended in Guadalupe for their suspected involvement in similar activities.
Several printed banners, firearms, loaded magazines, tire spikes, an improvised explosive device, narcotics, and vehicles were seized from those arrested. All were turned over to the appropriate authorities.
Amid a wave of violence in the southern region of Zacatecas, which connects with Aguascalientes and Jalisco, service providers are demanding protection from the insecurity. The protesters warn that they will not lift the blockades until the authorities address their demands.
The region, especially near Federal Highway 54 in Villanueva, has registered multiple recent criminal incidents, including explosive devices that have affected traffic and an armed attack in the vicinity of the El Soyate ranch, owned by the Aguilar family, events linked to the attempted release of the criminal leader nicknamed “Braca”.
Source: unotv
