CANACAR, Government Met to Tackle Cargo Insecurity

The National Chamber of Freight Transport (CANACAR) met with authorities and set up a work table to address the pressing insecurity on federal highways. The goal is to ensure road safety and reach agreements that effectively tackle security challenges in the country's highways.

The meeting gathered officials from the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the National Guard, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), and the Ministry of Governance (SEGOB), as well as from the National Guard and representatives from CANACAR.

The decision to convene the work table followed a letter sent by CANACAR to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, in which the chamber warned about the rise in insecurity on roads across the country and its detrimental impact on the truck drivers navigating these routes. 

One of the outcomes of these discussions was the agreement to organize regional meetings between representatives of the 10 states with the highest rates of criminal activity: State of Mexico, Puebla, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Michoacan, Jalisco, Hidalgo, Queretaro, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz. The meetings will address highway security and administrative concerns, facilitating communication with state and municipal authorities. Additionally, regional roundtable discussions will be arranged in states of particular interest to CANACAR.

The National Guard has also pledged to strengthen its presence on highways, deploying additional personnel to complement the more than 620 trained officers already operating nationwide to enhance security and safeguard the interests of truck drivers.

The SSPC’s Executive Ministry of the National Public Security System, the National Information Center (CNI), and the Mexico Platform, will collaborate with CANACAR to address security challenges. Efforts will be made to improve incident reporting mechanisms, facilitating coordination between the emergency hotline (911) and state-level command centers (C5) to strengthen tracking and recovery networks.

CANACAR highlights that the trucking industry moves over 600 tons of goods annually, contributing 3.7% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It also supports the livelihoods of 6 million Mexican families. Thus, addressing these security challenges is crucial for the industry's sustainability and the nation's economic well-being, argues CANACAR.

Authorities previously met with members of Mexico’s transportation industry and agreed to set up security meetings with state and municipal representatives to address insecurity. SICT presented a draft for the construction of secure rest spots, while the Government Unit and the General Directorate of Federal Transport issued a legal analysis of digital licenses.

The Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN) released a video statement emphasizing the severity of the issue, highlighting its detrimental impact on all industries. Companies are estimated to be losing US$1.1 million daily based on 2022 data, says the association. CONCAMIN called for coordinated efforts between federal, state, and municipal authorities to combat criminal activities disrupting supply chains and endangering lives.

Miguel Ángel Santiago, National Coordinator, AMOTAC, tells MBN that AMOTAC operates independently from CANACAR. Therefore, what is established in the working groups is unrelated to AMOTAC’s demands and the strike the organization planned for Feb. 15. The mobilization is expected to involve the 200,000 truck drivers AMOTAC represents.

AMOTAC's requests include requiring SICT registration for older model cargo and tourism vehicles, setting official operation rates for cargo transportation, reclassifying roads, issuing crane regulations and municipal permits, and addressing abuses and extortions.

AMOTAC's nationwide strike is expected to affect toll booths under federal jurisdiction at 8:00 AM in all 32 states. It is expected to primarily affect highways connecting the State of Mexico with Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz, Morelos, and Guerrero.