MEXICO · TRADE
Key Facts
- The country Mexico is the largest trading partner of the United States, and its trucks carry goods across the border every day.
- What happened An indefinite national strike began Monday 26 October 2026, with rigs parked near Mexico City and protests planned in about 20 states.
- Who is striking Canacar, the national freight chamber, with Fematrac, Amotac and Indeco announced it, while Segob says most other trucking groups chose talks.
- What they want Safer highways, an end to extortion and a bigger tax credit on tolls.
- Power Index Mexico ranks 2nd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 71.4 points (October 2026 edition).
The Mexico truckers strike began on Monday 26 October 2026, as drivers parked rigs near Mexico City, with protests planned in about 20 states. Organizers call the protest peaceful, and parked or slow trucks can still delay freight for factories, stores and the US border.
US readers have trade at stake, because organizers estimate that up to 21,000 daily crossings, worth about US$1.8 billion, could stop. Our preview of the strike explained why most trucking groups chose talks, and this report covers the day itself.
Why the Mexico Truckers Strike Began
Drivers and haulage firms behind the Mexico truckers strike complain about robberies, extortion and protection payments on Mexican highways, and about roads in poor repair. They also want compensation for stolen trucks that are never recovered, a review of detentions they call unjustified, and rules on tow-truck and impound-yard fees.
La Razón, a Mexican daily, reported 3,646 complaints of robbery against transporters from January to September. Canacar says carrying cargo has become a way of risking life and property.
A second grievance is the toll credit, which lets carriers deduct up to half of what they spend on toll roads. Deputies approved cutting the revenue ceiling for the credit from 300 million pesos (about US$16 million) to 250 million pesos (about US$13.4 million).
Canacar says the credit is a partial refund of toll costs, not a privilege, and asks the Senate to keep the old ceiling. Mexico’s finance ministry, known as Hacienda, judged the benefit too generous.
Who Is Striking and Who Stayed Out
Canacar, the National Chamber of Freight Transport led by Augusto Ramos Melo, called the strike with three smaller alliances named Fematrac, Amotac and Indeco. Mr. Ramos appealed directly to President Claudia Sheinbaum to step in, saying the strikers are her allies.
Several groups stayed out of the Mexico truckers strike, among them ANTAC, a national truckers’ association that sees no defined goals. Conatram, a national confederation of truckers, said none of its members would join blockades.
Amontac, an alliance of trucker groups, said it would wait on a security deal, and the Canapat bus chamber will keep working. Segob says most organizations accepted a dialogue table.
Where Trucks Parked on Monday
Around Mexico City, the Monday trouble spots include the highways to Querétaro, Pachuca, Puebla and Toluca. El Financiero, a Mexican daily, reported the first protest at the Tepotzotlán toll plaza north of the capital, with about 10 rigs on side lanes.
No blockades were announced inside Mexico City itself, but strikers planned to block toll booths and key points between the capital and Mexico State. Commuters were advised to use the Metro, suburban trains and other public transport.
Route lists published by Infobae, a Mexican news site, also name roads in Jalisco, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Morelos, Guanajuato and Baja California. Reports put the number of states with planned protests at about 20.
Infobae’s list places trucks beside the Tijuana customs post, on side lanes at Nuevo Laredo and in slow traffic at Reynosa-Río Bravo, with no closures. It said the Pacific port of Manzanillo had no blockades, and drivers should check with the National Guard and the federal toll agency Capufe.
What the Government Says
According to El Financiero, Sheinbaum said the protest responds to a change in the revenue law and called the striking sector “very small”. El Financiero also reported that Hacienda considered the earlier tax benefit “very excessive”.
No deal with Canacar had been announced at the time of writing. Segob calls the chamber’s stance “inexplicable” and says its dialogue table stays open.
What the Mexico Truckers Strike Could Cost
Canacar has warned that disruption could cost about 7 billion pesos (about US$370 million) a day. That is an industry estimate and has not been audited.
Organizers say trucks carry about 1.6 million tonnes of freight a day on Mexican highways. Even a partial stoppage can therefore ripple to shops and factories.
What It Means for US Readers
A partial Mexico truckers strike should mean delays, not a shutdown, for US importers of Mexican parts, produce and goods. Organizers estimate that up to 21,000 daily crossings worth about US$1.8 billion could stop, but nothing shows Laredo, Tijuana or Reynosa closed.
Shippers should ask their carriers about Monday and Tuesday schedules and watch Mexican highway alerts. Travelers driving in Mexico should avoid toll plazas near large cities until the situation clears.
What Is Not Known
It is not known how many trucks joined the Mexico truckers strike, how long it will last or whether Canacar will accept the dialogue table. No figures on delayed shipments or lost trade were available at the time of writing.
The size of the daily loss rests on the organizers’ own estimate. Whether the Senate will change the toll credit is also open.
More: Mexico news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mexico truckers strike still on?
Canacar kept its call for an indefinite national strike from Monday 26 October 2026, and no deal had been announced at the time of writing. Segob says most other groups agreed to talks instead.
Does the Mexico truckers strike close the US border?
Route lists describe parked or slow trucks near Tijuana, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, but no closures were reported there. Organizers say they do not plan to shut roads completely.
What do the truckers want?
They want safer highways, an end to extortion and cargo theft, better roads and a higher revenue ceiling for the toll tax credit. They also want President Sheinbaum to step in.
Who is not joining the strike?
ANTAC, Conatram, Amontac and the Canapat bus and tourism chamber said they would stay out. Segob says most groups chose dialogue.
Could the strike delay deliveries?
Parked or slow trucks can delay freight for factories, shops and the US border. How much depends on how many trucks join and for how long.
Sources: El Financiero (live coverage, roads and government response), 26 October 2026; El Financiero (strike announcement, demands and trade figures), 24 October 2026; El Financiero (toll tax credit and the 2027 revenue law), 15 October 2026; Infobae México (road list by state), 26 October 2026; La Razón (Segob statement and Canacar position), 26 October 2026; La Razón (organizations in and out), 25 October 2026; La Jornada (Canacar calls the strike), 25 October 2026; La Jornada (groups that withdrew), 24 October 2026.
Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief · Editorial standards · Report an error