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2024 Cargo Hijacking in Mexico: Emerging Trends, High-Risk Zones, and Steps for Protecting Your Supply Chain
In 2024, the trend of cargo truck hijacking has continued in Mexico. Executives at foreign companies who are investing in nearshoring need to understand the risk and take steps to protect their cargo and operations in Mexico.
In February, 2024 Mexican truckers blockaded the highway leading into Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico in order to protest the murder of a truck driver who was shot and killed during a hijacking (Notre Digital).
In March, 2024 a security guard was killed during a truck hijacking attempt in the town of Tlalnepantla, on the outskirts of Mexico City (LaJornada).
In April, 2024 another truck driver was killed during a hijacking in the central Mexican state of Queretaro (Debate).
Reliance Partner’s Cargo Truck Hijacking Data Portal shows that Mexico’s federal government recorded an official tally of 3,393 violent cargo truck hijackings during the first six months of 2024.
As has been the case in recent years, the trend is concentrated in the area around Mexico City.
Only 1% of the hijackings occurred in Mexico’s northern border states.
Mexico State was the highest risk state in Mexico for hijacking during the first half of 2024.
In total, Mexico State accounted for 54% of the official tally of violent cargo truck hijackings.
During the first six months of 2024, the northern border states that recorded the highest number of hijackings were Nuevo Leon (12) and Baja California (7).
One other state to watch in 2024 is Morelos, where the official tally of hijackings jumped 5.5% in comparison to the first half of 2023.
IN-DEPTH DATA ANALYSIS: POWERED BY AI27
In the first half of 2024, the worst hotspots for cargo truck hijacking in Mexico were Mexico State, Puebla, and Jalisco.
Overall, in Mexico, during 2024 highway 150D (the route connecting Mexico City and the eastern state of Veracruz) has been the highest risk route for cargo truck hijacking.
Other hotspots for hijacking include the Arco Norte highway in Mexico State, the 80D highway in San Luis Potosi, and the 57D highway that runs through Queretaro and Guanajuato.
The data shows that hijackings can occur at any hour of the day on Mexico’s highways, but the highest risk time for highway robbery is 8 pm to 2 am.
The most common categories of cargo stolen in hijackings of cargo in Mexico are groceries, wine and spirits, e-commerce packages, and household goods. (All products with potential resale value in Mexico’s informal markets.)
One other trend to watch: In August 2024, AI27 recorded a 130% jump in hijackings of smaller trucks (5 tons or less), in comparison to July.
