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Cargo Truck Hijacking on the Rise in Mexico State and Puebla
Late summer and early fall of 2023 have brought attention to a growing concern in Mexico – the alarming rise in cargo truck hijackings, particularly in Mexico State and Puebla. Two viral videos captured harrowing attempts by criminals to block roads and hijack cargo trucks in these states. These incidents shed light on the escalating dangers faced by cargo truck drivers, and the statistics from Mexico’s National Public Security System database reveal a disturbing trend. In this blog post, we delve into the details of these incidents and the broader issue of cargo truck hijacking in Mexico.
- Oriente, Puebla – September 1st: Passengers on a bus traveling through the town of Oriente on the Teziutlán-Acajete highway in Puebla recorded a shocking video. It depicted two criminals attempting to block the road with a car, aiming to hijack a cargo truck. The video highlights the audacity of criminals and the risks faced by drivers on Mexican highways. Watch the video here.
- Rio Frio, Mexico State – August: In another chilling incident, a truck driver recorded gunmen in two cars trying to force him to stop his vehicle on the Mexico-Puebla highway near the township of Rio Frio in the municipality of Ixtapaluca, Mexico State. This video serves as a stark reminder of the dangers truck drivers encounter in their daily routines.
The Troubling Statistics
These two incidents aren’t isolated cases. They point to a broader issue of cargo truck hijacking in Mexico, with Mexico State and Puebla taking the lead in terms of risk. Data from Mexico’s National Public Security System database paints a grim picture:
- In Puebla, the number of hijackings surged from 776 during the first half of 2022 to a staggering 1333 in the first half of 2023.
- Mexico State recorded a total of 1828 hijackings during the first six months of the year.
Together, these two states accounted for nearly 77% of the 4127 truck hijackings that Mexico reported during the first half of 2023.
Check out Borderless Coverage Analysis of cargo truck hijacking in Mexico for more.
The Implications
Cargo truck hijacking poses multiple threats:
- Safety of Drivers: The safety of truck drivers is at risk, as they navigate treacherous highways and encounter criminals willing to go to extreme lengths to steal cargo.
- Economic Impact: Cargo theft contributes to economic losses, affecting businesses, insurance companies, and consumers. These losses may result in increased prices for goods.
- Security Concerns: Cargo theft points to broader security issues within the affected regions, necessitating enhanced law enforcement efforts and infrastructure improvements.
The disturbing incidents captured in viral videos underscore the urgency of addressing cargo truck hijacking in Mexico State and Puebla. The rising statistics reveal a growing crisis that requires coordinated efforts from law enforcement, government agencies, and the private sector to ensure the safety of truck drivers and the security of cargo shipments.
At BorderlessCoverage, we will continue to monitor and report on these issues, advocating for safer highways and enhanced security measures to protect both drivers and the Mexican economy.