LEÓN, GTO.- Insecurity is a latent challenge for cargo operators , since highway robberies are a growing problem that affects both companies and the economy in general, according to specialists in the Mexican logistics sector.
In this regard, Enrique González, president of the Guanajuato Logistics and Mobility Cluster (CLYMGTO) , announced that the cargo and transportation business chambers are focused on assuming their responsibility and implementing preventive actions , while seeking closer collaboration with the authorities.
“We are looking for preventive actions that will allow us to reduce the rate of highway robberies,” said González.
González explained that the National Guard ‘s Chimalli program , which seeks to respond immediately to reports of theft from cargo transporters on the country’s highways, has shown initial positive results in some regions of the State of Mexico and Puebla.
However, he stressed that the effectiveness of these measures can only be judged once security is achieved uniformly throughout the country , avoiding what he called the “cockroach effect.”
“We are not interested in it falling in Puebla and heating up in other states; it is a problem that starts from the Rio Bravo to the Suchiate, and we want to reduce it throughout the republic,” said González.
Along with the security challenges, González spoke about the shortage of drivers in the country , pointing out that the sector faces a shortage of more than 50 thousand drivers nationwide.
In Guanajuato, one of the states with the highest density of logistics routes, this problem is especially critical, since four of the five most important trunk axes of the country cross through this region.
“In Guanajuato we have one of the most outstanding driver training programs, where 90% of the graduates from the last 11 years are working in freight transport companies, mainly in Guanajuato, Nuevo León and Jalisco, but we still need more,” explained González.
However, he regretted that approximately 10% of these trained drivers choose to emigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities, which worsens the lack of personnel in Mexico. “It is very unfortunate because we need them here,” he added.
For his part, Cruz Isaac Muñoz Navarro, General Director of Road and Facility Security of the National Guard, highlighted the implementation of an exclusive hotline for transporters , designed to provide a quick response in cases of theft and avoid delays in traditional channels such as 911.
“This line is exclusively for road transport and allows direct service, without intermediaries,” said Muñoz Navarro.
He added that collaboration with companies is essential for the correct operation of this tool, which seeks to record incidents in real time for more effective intervention.
Muñoz Navarro also explained that the National Guard has implemented other security strategies on roads, including coordinated operations in areas with high incidence of crime.
Given the insecurity situation, González added that the key is shared responsibility and not “assigning blame .” He said that business owners must take an active role in controlling and coordinating the security of their routes, while authorities must comply with effective corrective and preventive measures.
“It is about self-control and teamwork. It is not just about saying whether the rates have gone down or not, but about maintaining security throughout the logistics chain, from north to south and from coast to coast,” said González.
In the meantime, the sector hopes that these initiatives can address immediate challenges and pave the way for safer and more efficient transport.
These statements were made within the framework of the 2024 Transport Logistics Forum held in León, Guanajuato, where González also reiterated that the business sector will continue to implement its own controls to protect routes and ensure the continuity of its activity.
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