Rising Theft Rates: Insecurity Threatens Mexico's Trucking Sector

The transportation industry in Mexico has long been dealing with significant challenges, primarily due to escalating violence and insecurity on the roads. Over the past five years, the sector has struggled to maintain control over operations, delaying its growth potential. 

The trucking industry is a vital contributor to Mexico’s GDP with 3.4% in 2021, according to a CANACAR report. The sector moves 56.2% of the total domestic cargo. However, it has been severely impacted by rising insecurity. According to data from the Executive Ministry of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), thefts targeting carriers have increased by a staggering 11.52% in January-May 2023 in comparison to the same months in 2022. 

With 3,947 reported thefts, the State of Mexico, Jalisco, Michoacan, Puebla and San Luis Potosi have become hotspots for criminal activities, with high percentages of thefts involving violence. During the first five months of 2023, the State of Mexico reported 1,749 thefts, Puebla reported 1,107, Michoacan reported 319, San Luis Potosi reported 188 and Jalisco reported 132. 

The Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (AMIS) identified Kenworth as the fourth sub-brand most frequently targeted by thieves. Dry vans and freightliner trucks represented over 72% of the reported thefts involving violence.

In response to the escalating insecurity, efforts have been initiated by organizations like COPARMEX and the National Guard. The Immediate Alert Line Against Robberies (LAICA) is a crucial direct communication channel between carriers and authorities, facilitating reporting of thefts. Additionally, the Operative “Escalón” contemplates the accompaniment of cargo vehicles in different blocks and schedules to prevent crimes.

The National Citizen Observatory (ONC) has reported a concerning decline in the recovery rate of stolen heavy freight trucks. Between 2020 and 2021, the rate decreased from 67% to 61%, indicating that fewer stolen vehicles were successfully retrieved. The alarming rise in violence and insecurity within Mexico’s trucking industry poses a significant threat to the country’s economic stability.