Truck drivers in Guanajuato have warned of a growing wave of extortion on highways in Celaya and San Miguel de Allende, where they are being forced to make illegal payments to be allowed to travel.
According to the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (CANACAR) in the state, these extortion payments have become commonplace, ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 pesos per truck. The situation primarily affects truckers with federal license plates who travel through these municipalities to deliver goods.
Jaime García Almanza, vice president of CANACAR’s Bajío region, explained that drivers are being stopped under the pretext of lacking the necessary permits for connectivity or transit on certain sections of the highway. However, he pointed out that there is no alternative to these routes, as they are essential for transporting goods.
“We are being extorted because they tell us we don’t have a permit for connectivity or transit on certain sections, but there’s no way to avoid them to deliver the goods,” he stated.
Truck drivers reported that if they refuse to pay, they face threats such as the impounding of their vehicles and their removal to impound lots, which exacerbates financial losses and delays distribution logistics.
Given this situation, the sector managed to establish a dialogue with the Ministry of Telecommunications, with the goal of expediting the issuance of connectivity permits and ensuring that municipalities comply with federal transportation regulations.
The problem is even more critical because these routes are key to supplying goods to municipalities such as Dolores Hidalgo, San Felipe, and San Diego de la Unión. Business owners warned that the situation could disrupt the supply chain if it is not addressed urgently.
Source: lasillarota
