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Jalisco Road Blockades Disrupt travel, education as Corn Producer Protests Escalate
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Amidst ongoing negotiations with federal authorities, corn producers in Jalisco, Mexico, have intensified protests, leading to widespread road blockades and significant disruptions to transportation and daily life. The University Center for Biological and Agricultural Sciences (CUCBA) has suspended in-person classes for tuesday, October 28, as access to campus facilities is compromised.
Farmers Demand Lower Corn Prices, Extend Blockades
the unrest began Monday morning after talks between farmers and federal officials in Mexico City reached an impasse. Farmers are demanding a lower price for corn,and on Monday night,producers announced plans to extend existing blockades. According to reports, one key blockade point is located at the intersection of the road to San Isidro Mazatepec and the Buenavista road section to Nueva Cofradía, in tepetates, which had been serving as an alternate route.
The blockades are primarily targeting cargo trucks, though producers have stated they will allow passage for emergency vehicles and private cars transporting children, the elderly, and those seeking medical attention. Ther are also indications that the road to chapala may be impacted.
Extensive Road Closures Reported Across Jalisco
As of late Monday, numerous highway sections throughout Jalisco were reported as blocked or severely impacted. These include:
- Km 40 of the Guadalajara-Colima highway: road blocked.
- Ocotlán Booth (Mexico-Guadalajara Highway): traffic stopped.
- Road to Nogales, near the Technology Park: total closure.
- Guadalajara-Ocotlán Highway, at av. Universidad 2000: blockade in both directions.
- La Barca-Jamay Highway, towards Atotonilco: blockade in both directions.
- La Barca-San Juan Highway, km 3+700, intersection with toll highway 15D México-Morelia, km 402: road blocked.
- Santa Rosa-La Barca Highway, km 49+100: road blocked.
The State Highway police and the National Guard have issued recommendations for alternate routes to mitigate the impact of the closures. For those traveling to or from the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone (ZMG) via the Highway to Nogales, authorities suggest using Av. Aviación, Av. Ramón Corona, and camino Viejo to Nextipac.
For traffic affected by the closure on the Highway to Colima (before kilometer 40), the recommended detour involves taking the El Molino highway towards Jocotepec, continuing on the Ajijic highway, and accessing the ZMG via the Chapala highway.Though, authorities note that this route is not suitable for double articulated units.
Over 1,000 Producers Participating in Demonstrations
Organizers estimate that over 1,000 corn producers from municipalities including Ocotlán, La Barca, Atotonilco, Degollado, and Arandas are participating in the demonstrations. The goal is to bolster the negotiating commissions currently engaged in discussions with federal representatives in the nation’s capital. Images of the blockade on the Guadalajara-Morelia highway can be viewed at www.informador.mx.
The situation remains fluid, and travelers in Jalisco are advised to exercise extreme
