Jun 14, 2011

DO NOT PASS GO in Catemaco

At least for the next 3 days.

Assorted highways will be blocked by protesters.

Blocking highways is a federal crime in Mexico. The only ones arrested for it, that I have read about, are impoverished Indians demanding better government services. The rest, ranging from the current national transportation unions to locals demanding handouts apparently are excluded from the law.

As if Mexico does not have enough problems, you can figure at least one or 2 days per month that a highway will be closed wherever you are going. Usually it is only for a few hours, but sometimes it will take days and the Mexican army to clear the road. Often the blockers will allow passage after paying an appropriate contribution to their cause.

The current fave in Veracruz is truck and bus drivers protesting against police abuses and the cost of fuel.

Shucks, what will they think of next?

Update: WHAT A MESS!
http://www.veracruzanos.info/2011/06/ultimos-reportes-carreteros/  Today's mess.
A few hours ago the usual jerks in Covarrubias closed the bridge. And I have friends on the road arriving from Chiapas.