On February 17th, 2025, Mexico City and the surrounding State of Mexico brace for significant disruptions as transport workers and healthcare professionals launch protests to voice their grievances. The megamarch, assembling thousands, is poised to cause major traffic challenges throughout this metropolitan area.
The Unión de Transportistas, Comerciantes y Empresarios de la República Mexicana has organized the march to address severe issues stemming from extortion and wrongful arrests. Starting at 8:00 AM, the mobilization will kick off at various points, including major highways leading to Mexico City, impacting traffic from the early morning.
Among the key locations where blockades will occur are:
- Puente de Fierro San Cristóbal (heading toward the Mexico-Pachuca highway)
- Caseta México-Querétaro (in Tepotzotlán)
- Caseta México-Cuernavaca (toward Mexico City)
- Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza (near Cabeza de Juárez)
- Caseta La Marquesa (on the Mexico-Toluca highway)
- The entrances to airports serving Mexico City and Felipe Ángeles
The objectives of this demonstration are not just to disrupt daily commutes but to pressure the government to engage on issues such as extortion faced by transport workers. They've issued statements emphasizing their fight against abuses and unjust legal actions. A spokesperson from the transport union stated, "Our sectors are fundamental for the development of the economy. Yet we face constant threats to our right to work securely and with dignity." This march aims to bring these issues to the foreground.
Simultaneously, healthcare workers are set to join the actions with their own blockades beginning at 10:00 AM, exacerbated by their pressing demands for medical supplies and respect for labor rights. They, too, have been vocal about the insufficient resources within the healthcare system, leading to protests across major routes:
- Entrances to Mexico City airports
- Periférico Norte
- Autopista Circuito Exterior Mexiquense
- Highways linking to various Maranhão states
- Avenues throughout Ecatepec and Naucalpan
The healthcare workers expressed their frustration, stating, "We demand not just supplies, but respect for our labor rights." They have also called for government accountability over administrative failures impacting healthcare delivery.
The call for action has drawn broad support, as the sector faces numerous challenges amid rising social tensions. Transport associations have voiced their solidarity, encouraging participants to mobilize peacefully yet firmly to press their demands. They insist on having their voices heard as they march toward Palacio Nacional, aiming to directly confront authorities with issues they've faced, particularly during police operations dubbed 'Atarraya' where numerous complaints have arisen against law enforcement for extortion and harassment.
Both demonstrations are expected to affect multiple major highways, compelling commuters to seek alternative routes. Authorities have begun issuing advisories, recommending public transport use to minimize disruptions. Behind this collective action is the underlying sentiment among workers who feel neglected and unjustly targeted, which adds depth to their calls for change.
The situation highlights the broader systemic failures affecting these sectors, pressing the Mexican government to address both labor and legal inequities heavily burdening its workforce. The action scheduled for February 17th serves as not just another protest but as a poignant reflection of the hardships faced by many Mexicans striving for dignity and justice.
Authorities have yet to announce specific countermeasures to manage the anticipated fallout from these protests but are keeping citizens updated on traffic conditions. Residents are encouraged to remain informed about the protests and possible road closures as the day approaches.
With this dual protest from both transportation and healthcare sectors, February 17 is set to be pivotal, potentially altering the dialogue around labor rights and civil protections moving forward.