On Monday afternoon, October 26, 2026, cargo and tourism transport operators belonging to HAMOTAC and Canacar blocked the Paso Express in Cuernavaca in both directions, paralyzing traffic across Morelos until authorities cleared the routes late that evening.
The nationwide protest erupted after federal authorities failed to engage with specific regional transport alliances, according to Diario de Morelos. Thousands of motorists and public transit users found themselves stranded as operators deployed commercial vehicles to choke key arteries throughout the state capital.
Julio Silva, the Morelos delegate for the Honorable Alianza Mexicana de Organización de Transportistas A.C. (HAMOTAC), confirmed that the mobilization stemmed from a complete breakdown in communication with the Federal Government. While local state officials reached out to open channels of dialogue, operators maintained that their core grievances rested entirely within federal jurisdiction.
The primary catalysts for the blockade involve rampant insecurity across federal highway corridors and the unchecked pricing structures enforced by towing and impound companies. According to data released by the Cámara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga (Canacar), private tow operators regularly demand extortionate fees reaching up to 120,000 pesos merely to tow and store a single commercial vehicle, compounding financial pressures alongside municipal fines.
Strategic Blockades and Rapid Clearance Operations
Operators executed coordinated shutdowns starting at 16:00 local time on Monday. Critical points of constriction included the Paso Express near the Satélite colony, the Paloma de la Paz roundabout, and access points along Plan de Ayala Avenue, effectively cutting off the Cuernavaca-Acapulco highway corridor.
🚨 19:26 horas – Mantienen cierres en el Paso Express Cuernavaca Transportistas de carga realizan un bloqueo intermitente a la altura de la colonia Satélite. Los manifestantes permanecen en la zona en espera de los acuerdos que se alcancen a nivel federal para determinar la… pic.twitter.com/8e08UhQXit
Law enforcement and state officials negotiated through the evening hours, leading to a coordinated de-escalation. By 22:15 on Monday night, transport operators voluntarily withdrew their units, restoring full circulation across all contested junctions.
| Location | Key Arteries Affected | Status as of Late Monday |
|---|---|---|
| Satélite Colony | Paso Express | Cleared at 22:15 |
| Paloma de la Paz | Northern Roundabout Access | Cleared at 22:15 |
| Plan de Ayala | Urban Access and Exits | Cleared at 22:15 |
| Burgos | Cuernavaca-Acapulco Highway | Cleared at 22:15 |
Despite the overnight clearance, transport leadership warned that further actions remain on the table if federal negotiators fail to produce binding commitments regarding highway security and tariff regulations.
Ongoing Dialogue and Future Negotiations
The governments of Morelos and Mexico confirmed that formal communication channels with representatives from both HAMOTAC and Canacar remain active. State officials emphasized a shared priority to balance citizen mobility with the economic demands voiced by the transport sector.
As transport directorates evaluate the outcomes of national leadership directives, federal authorities face mounting pressure to address the structural costs and security vulnerabilities plaguing Mexico’s heavy freight corridors before subsequent mobilization deadlines take effect.
