Motorists traveling the Mexico City-Toluca highway have been significantly impacted by a blockade that has now surpassed 24 hours, causing extensive delays and long lines. This situation, originating from a protest by families of missing persons at kilometer 48+500 in Lerma, highlights urgent cases demanding attention from authorities, especially from Mexico state Attorney General José Luis Cervantes Martínez.
The protest began on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and has persisted through the night, with adverse weather conditions such as rain and dropping temperatures affecting those involved. While the Toluca-bound lanes reopened on Tuesday afternoon, the Mexico City-bound lanes remain obstructed. Protesters have intermittently allowed some vehicles to pass, yet congestion remains severe, with truck drivers even forced to sleep in their vehicles due to the blockade.
This demonstration is spearheaded by various collectives, including Flores en el Corazón and Madres Mariposas Buscadoras, who are advocating for answers regarding over 40 unresolved disappearance cases, some dating back more than a decade. Negotiations with authorities began early Wednesday morning, but an agreement to resolve the blockade has yet to be reached.
Public sentiment around the blockade is complex, with social media reports indicating instances of frustration and confrontations between drivers and protesters. An additional blockade has also been reported along the alternative Libramiento Bicentenario route near Xonacatlán, further complicating the transportation landscape.
Authorities are encouraging those who need to travel from Toluca to Mexico City to prepare for heavy congestion and consider alternative routes. The recommended detours include the Toluca-Naucalpan Highway and the State Tenango-La Marquesa route, among others. For those seeking to avoid vehicular travel altogether, the Interurban Train, known as El Insurgente, is functioning normally, offering a convenient option to travel between key locations.