Farmers in the Mexicali Valley lifted their blockade of the Mexicali to San Luis Río Colorado highway on Tuesday morning, April 7, restoring traffic flow on the only road connecting Baja California to the state of Sonora. The protest camp, however, remains in place near the blockade site, and organizers say it will stay until they reach a formal agreement with federal authorities.
The blockade began on Sunday, April 6, when Valle de Mexicali producers joined a nationwide agricultural strike. Using tractors and other vehicles, they shut down the highway in both directions near the Puesto Militar de Seguridad Carretera 2, a military checkpoint along the route. The closure cut off the primary land corridor between Baja California and mainland Mexico.
Intermittent Closures May Continue Through Friday
While the full blockade was removed Tuesday, intermittent closures could continue through Friday, according to El Imparcial. Farmers have been allowing vehicles, including emergency responders and commercial trucks, to pass once per hour during the disruption. Ismael Reyes De la Rosa, the Mexicali delegate for the Cámara Nacional de Autotransporte de Carga (CANACAR), confirmed that truckers experienced delays but were eventually let through.
The farmers are protesting what they call a lack of government support, rising production costs, and unfair competition from international markets. One Mexicali Valley farmer told La Jornada the protest would remain indefinite until the federal government responded to their demands. He criticized the Secretaría de Gobernación for claiming the farmers had no reason to demonstrate.
Key Route for Cross-Border Commerce
The Mexicali to San Luis Río Colorado highway is a critical link for both commerce and daily travel. Commercial trucks that use the San Luis Río Colorado port of entry depend on this road, though many freight operators affiliated with CANACAR in Mexicali typically prefer the Mexicali commercial crossing for its larger capacity and longer hours. For expats and travelers driving between Baja California and mainland Mexico, this highway is the only overland option short of a long detour.
Local farmers have already held meetings with state and municipal officials, requesting support including police presence at the protest site. A negotiation session with federal authorities has been scheduled, though no specific date or time was confirmed in available reports.
This story was first reported by Zeta Tijuana, with additional reporting from La Jornada and El Imparcial.