Arturo Medina, coordinator of the PRI Parliamentary Group in the State Congress, presented a resolution proposal urging the Federal Government, through the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), to avoid unjustified checkpoints or surveillance points on Chihuahua’s highways and to ensure that any operation is carried out using fully identifiable official vehicles and officers who can verify their identities.
The proposal comes in response to complaints from citizens and transport workers regarding alleged improper charges, intimidation, and demands for payments at checkpoints installed along the Chihuahua–Ciudad Juárez highway. Medina warned that security and crime-fighting operations are essential, but they must always be conducted within the law and must not become opportunities for abuse of authority or harm to people traveling on the highways.
Morena lawmakers present at the session rejected Medina’s proposal, arguing that they were not aware of the alleged problems that irregular checkpoints cause citizens.
Medina criticized Morena’s position and stated that it confirms what has been alleged for a long time: that they are enemies of peace and human rights.
“We want strong institutions, we want the presence of authorities, and we want crime to be confronted firmly, but security can never be separated from legality. Anyone who carries a badge and represents the State has an even greater responsibility to act with honesty, professionalism, and absolute respect for people’s rights,” Medina said.
The legislator emphasized that Federal Highway 45 is one of Chihuahua’s main economic and logistical arteries, meaning that delayed or inefficient inspections, or inspections conducted outside proper protocols, can affect transport workers, families, and supply chains connected to exports to the United States.
Medina recalled that there have been reports of inspections being conducted from vehicles without official markings, as well as complaints from transport workers about demands for payments of up to 20,000 pesos. For this reason, he considered it essential for federal authorities to investigate the incidents and ensure that their operations are conducted according to the constitutional principles of legality, objectivity, efficiency, professionalism, integrity, and respect for human rights.
As part of the resolution proposal, Medina also suggests requesting the participation of the National Human Rights Commission and the State Human Rights Commission at these checkpoints, with the goal of monitoring operations and preventing potential violations of people’s dignity, physical integrity, and property.
Finally, Arturo Medina reaffirmed his commitment to security and the rule of law, stating that fighting crime and protecting citizens requires trustworthy institutions that operate within the law.
“Chihuahua needs security, but security with legality. We will support every action that helps combat criminals and protect families, but we will also point out any abuse and demand that every authority strictly comply with the law. Defending the rule of law means that no one can be above it,” he concluded.
Source: congresochihuahua
