MEXICO · TRUCKING
Key Facts
- —What is happening On Sunday, 25 October 2026, Mexico’s interior ministry said most trucking groups accepted talks, but the Canacar cargo chamber kept its indefinite strike call for Monday.
- —Why it matters Trucks move goods across Mexico and into the United States, so a stoppage could slow shipments, although the split makes a smaller strike more likely.
- —The numbers Organizers expect about 1 million vehicles, and one leader puts daily losses at 21.5 billion pesos (US$1.15 billion). Canacar says 21,000 daily border crossings carry US$1.8 billion of trade.
- —Who is who Canacar is the national cargo transport chamber led by Augusto Ramos Melo. The interior ministry, Segob, runs talks, and the business group Concamin urged Canacar to join.
- —What to watch Whether Canacar accepts the talks table before trucks roll on Monday, and what happens at Wednesday 28 October talks between Puebla officials and drivers.
- —Power Index Mexico ranks 2nd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 71.4 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you Expect possible delays on trucks bound for US customers and on roads around Mexico City, though organizers say they will not block roads.
Most Mexican trucking groups accepted talks with the government on Sunday. The Canacar chamber kept its call for an indefinite strike from Monday.
The Mexico trucker strike was set to begin on Monday 26 October, but most trucking groups chose talks on Sunday instead. Mexico’s interior ministry, Segob, said they agreed to meet the federal government, while the Canacar cargo chamber kept its call.
The split matters to US readers because Mexican trucks carry goods across the border. Canacar, the national chamber of cargo transport, has said about 21,000 border crossings and US$1.8 billion of trade move each day.
What Segob Said on Sunday
Segob said on Sunday, 25 October, that most transport organizations accepted a dialogue table with the federal government. Excelsior, Infobae, MVS Noticias, Sin Embargo and Uno TV all relayed the statement.
It said the table stays open to Canacar and called the chamber leadership’s position “inexplicable”. Canacar’s leaders had not accepted the offer and kept their call to protest from early Monday, the outlets reported.
Segob also thanked associations and chambers inside Canacar that distanced themselves from the protest. It said Concamin, the national industrial chambers confederation, urged Canacar to reach an agreement.
MVS Noticias reported that Segob described a substantial understanding with most groups and talks aimed at ruling out road blockades. The other outlets did not use those words, so that detail rests on one report.
Who Is In and Who Is Out
Canacar and its allies called the strike on Friday 23 October, as earlier coverage of the call explains. The groups said then that about 1 million vehicles would take part.
Infobae reported that ANTAC, the National Transporters Association led by David Estévez Gamboa, withdrew its support. It said the protest lacks concrete proposals and plans.
Sin Embargo reported that Rafael Ortiz Pacheco of the Amotac transport alliance said his group will not join. It also reported that Canapat, the bus and tourism chamber, said on Saturday it would stay out.
Carlos García Álvarez, whom La Razón and Infobae name as president of the Hamotac alliance, was among the organizers on Friday. Outlets spell the alliance names differently, so the exact list of groups still on board is unclear.
What the Strike Is Meant to Look Like
Canacar president Augusto Ramos Melo said drivers would not close roads or toll booths. His slogan was that truckers do not want to stop Mexico but want Mexico to listen.
Infobae said Canacar kept calls to mobilize in ten states, and Hamotac called for action in all 32 states. Organizers announced no blockades, Uno TV reported.
Infobae says Hamotac called for 6:00 starts, while Uno TV lists local marches from 7:30 to 10:00 in the morning. Segob’s own statement said only that protests would begin early on Monday.
Drivers cite robberies, extortion and protection payments on highways, poor roads and a planned cut to a toll tax credit. Ramos Melo said working tables are no longer enough and asked President Claudia Sheinbaum to step in.
The Cost the Sector Puts on a Stoppage
García Álvarez estimated daily losses of 21.5 billion pesos, which is about US$1.15 billion. Conversions use the rate of 26 October 2026, at 18.72 pesos per US dollar.
Noroeste reported a much lower Canacar estimate of 7 billion pesos a day for trucking operations, about US$374 million. The gap shows these are lobby figures, not audited data.
Canacar says trucks move 1.6 million tonnes of goods on Mexican roads each day. Its estimates are not independently verified.
What It Means for US Readers
A smaller strike would cause fewer delays for US importers and retailers that depend on Mexican parts and produce. A full stoppage could back up trucks at northern border crossings, though no outlet reports any border action.
Drivers and shippers should watch trucking company notices and Mexican highway alerts on Monday. The US Embassy and state governments often issue road advice during large Mexican protests.
Wider context is in the USMCA 2026 page and the Mexico explainer. Daily news is in the Mexico section and in The Big Read for Mexico.
What Is Not Known
It is not known how many trucks will actually stop on Monday, or on which roads. Reports written on Sunday cannot say whether the strike went ahead.
The number of groups that accepted talks has not been published, and Segob named none of them. The ministry’s own statement could not be opened, so details rest on five outlets that agree.
It is also unclear whether Canacar will join the table before trucks move. Canacar’s own reply to the word “inexplicable” was not found.
What Comes Next
The first test comes on Monday morning, when highway reports will show how many trucks join. Puebla officials and drivers meet again on Wednesday 28 October after blockades there on 22 October.
A split among truckers does not mean the strike has been cancelled. It also does not mean the underlying demands on road crime have been met.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mexico trucker strike still on?
Canacar kept its call for Monday 26 October after Segob announced talks with most groups. Reports on Sunday could not say how many trucks would join.
Who is not joining the strike?
Reports say ANTAC and Amotac will stay out, and Canapat said it would not take part. Segob says most groups chose talks.
Will the strike block roads?
Organizers say they will not block roads or toll booths. Uno TV reports that organizers have announced no blockades.
Will the strike affect US border trade?
No outlet reports a planned border action. Canacar says about 21,000 crossings and US$1.8 billion of trade move daily.
What do the truckers want?
They want action on highway robbery, extortion and poor roads, and they oppose a cut to a toll tax credit. They want a direct meeting with President Sheinbaum.
Sources: Excelsior, 25 October; Infobae, 25 October; MVS Noticias, 25 October; Sin Embargo, 25 October; Uno TV, 25 October; Seuno Noticias, 25 October; La Razón, 24 October; Infobae, 23 October; Noroeste, 24 October; Exchange rate, 26 October (all accessed 26 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief