Mexico Highway Blockades: Truckers and Farmers Paralyze Key Routes in Security and Water Law Protests

Major highways across Mexico are paralyzed today as a powerful coalition of truck drivers and agricultural workers has launched a nationwide protest, blocking critical logistics corridors and border trade routes. The demonstrations, which began in earnest in late November 2025, have reignited with intensity, driven by dual crises: soaring highway insecurity and contentious federal water legislation. For businesses and travelers, the result is a supply chain nightmare, with automotive plants shutting down and cross-border commerce grinding to a halt.

The blockades are not isolated incidents but a coordinated action by groups like the Unión Nacional de Trabajadores Agrícolas (UNTA) and transport unions, who are demanding concrete government action. While some blockades were temporarily lifted after federal negotiations, the core issues of violence against truckers and grain pricing for farmers remain unresolved, leading to this renewed wave of disruption.

Where Are the Blockades? Key Locations and Impacts

Authorities have confirmed partial and total closures on federal and state highways across multiple regions. The blockades are strategic, targeting major arteries that connect industrial hubs and border crossings. Private vehicles and emergency services are sometimes allowed passage, but commercial freight is bearing the brunt of the standstill.

The following table outlines some of the confirmed impacted locations based on logistics advisories:

Border Crossings: A Mixed Picture

While blockades are choking access to some border regions, not all ports of entry are affected. As of the latest updates, the Colombia Bridge and Laredo/Nuevo Laredo customs operations continue normally, with no extraordinary delays reported. Logistics firms are actively rerouting cargo to these functioning crossings to minimize disruption.

Root Causes: Why Are Truckers and Farmers Protesting?

The protests stem from two interconnected grievances that have reached a boiling point.

1. Highway Insecurity and Violence

Truck drivers are protesting what they describe as untenable levels of highway insecurity, including rampant cargo theft, armed robberies, and extortion.

“Truck drivers participating in the blockades say they are protesting rising highway insecurity, including cargo theft, robberies and police [extortion],”

reports indicate. The demand is for increased security and tangible government protection for those moving goods across the country’s dangerous roads.

2. The General Water Law and Agricultural Prices

For farmers, the trigger is twofold. First, the recent approval of the new General Water Law by Mexico’s lower house of Congress has sparked fears over water rights and access for agriculture. Second, farmers are demanding higher, guaranteed prices for their grains and produce. The blockades were briefly lifted after a federal agreement in late November 2025, but with insecurity and grain prices still central concerns, the protests have reactivated.

Economic and Supply Chain Fallout

The impact is severe and widespread. The automotive sector, a cornerstone of Mexican manufacturing, has been hit particularly hard.

• Plant Closures: Road blockades have forced automotive plants to shut down across the country, crippling just-in-time supply chains.
• Border Trade Disruption: Blockades are specifically choking trade routes to key border regions like the Rio Grande Valley, delaying billions of dollars in cross-border commerce.
• Nationwide Logistics Paralysis: Major logistics corridors are disrupted, causing delays for all sectors reliant on road freight.

What Travelers and Shippers Should Do

1. Check Routes in Real-Time: Avoid travel on federal highways 45 and other known protest corridors. Use GPS apps with live traffic updates.
2. For Commercial Cargo: Reroute shipments through operational border crossings like the Colombia Bridge or Laredo. Maintain close communication with your logistics provider for specific routing updates.
3. Expect Delays: Even on open routes, increased congestion and secondary checkpoints can cause significant delays. Plan accordingly.
4. Stay Informed: Monitor official sources and trusted logistics firms (like Buckland, whose advisories informed this report) for the latest on blockade locations.

The situation remains fluid. While the government has engaged in talks, the deep-seated issues of security and agricultural policy require sustained solutions. Until then, the threat of further highway blockades disrupting Mexico’s economic heartbeat will persist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is causing the highway blockades in Mexico right now?

The blockades are a joint protest by truck drivers and farmers. Truckers are demonstrating against rampant highway insecurity, including cargo theft and violence. Farmers are protesting the new General Water Law and demanding higher prices for their agricultural products.

Which border crossings are still open and operational?

As of the latest reports, the Colombia Bridge and the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo customs ports are operating normally without closures or extraordinary delays. These are currently the recommended crossings for commercial and passenger traffic to minimize disruption.

How are the blockades affecting trade and business?

The impact is severe. Automotive supply chains have been disrupted, forcing plant closures. Cross-border trade is experiencing significant delays, and nationwide logistics for all goods are paralyzed along the blocked corridors, leading to widespread economic losses.

Are the protests and blockades likely to continue?

While some blockades were temporarily lifted after past agreements, the core issues remain unresolved. Given the scale and organization of the protests, further disruptions are likely until the government reaches a sustainable, long-term agreement addressing both security and agricultural concerns.