Two videos of robberies targeting truck drivers in Mexico went viral on Friday, November 15. These incidents took place on the Mexico-Querétaro highway and on the Arco-Norte, a highway that crosses four states in the country. On the Mexico-Querétaro highway, on Highway 57, robberies of transporters and private vehicles were reported at the Chichimequillas toll booth, located at Kilometer 20+6000.
In the videos shared by Azteca Noticias, you can see how the criminals use vans, sedans, and high-caliber weapons to stop the transporters. At night, they take advantage of traffic to commit violent robberies, even going so far as to shoot at drivers and seriously injure them to steal the cargo they are transporting.
Transporters have reported the lack of security on the roads and describe how criminals intercept them with different vehicles to block their path. They shoot and, in some cases, throw paint on the windshields of the trucks to avoid being identified. Additionally, they use advanced technology to quickly steal the cargo.
From January to September 2024, 285 robberies of truck drivers have been reported in Querétaro, of which 175 were violent and involved high-caliber weapons. These alarming figures reflect the insecurity on the roads, where 4 to 5 robberies per month occur against transporters and private vehicles.
The complicity of authorities and the lack of security on the roads are factors that allow criminals to commit these robberies. Transporters complain about the scarce police presence in critical areas. On the Arco-Norte, a video recorded by a security camera shows a truck driver stopped at a fake checkpoint where he is robbed by armed criminals. The driver was injured in the face and arms during the incident.
These cases of robberies against truck drivers reflect the serious security situation on the roads of Mexico and the need to take measures to protect transporters and prevent this type of crime.
