On February 5, 2024, the city of Chilpancingo in Guerrero State, southern Mexico, was rocked by the killings of four bus and taxi drivers. The attacks, executed by unidentified gunmen, seem to have been well-planned.
Guerrero, in recent years, has turned into a battleground for warring drug cartels. These criminal organizations often extort “protection” fees from local businesses, including transportation services.
January saw a peak in tension as drivers in Acapulco and Taxco, another city in Guerrero, stopped their services in protest against the continuous killings of their colleagues.
The killings that occurred on Monday are now under investigation by state prosecutors. The army and National Guard have stepped in to reinforce security in the troubled city. Information on the victims’ roles in the transport industry is limited, but it’s reported that at least two were minivan drivers who were targeted in their vehicles.
Transport workers in Guerrero are caught in a relentless cycle of extortion and violence. Some are even forced to work for the gangs that endanger their livelihoods.
Despite significant military and National Guard presence in the state, a strategy intended to bring stability, the danger to drivers continues.
The end of January saw the tourist city of Taxco witness a halt in transport services as drivers went on strike in response to gang threats. This forced local police to transport civilians in patrol vehicles.
Similarly, gang threats have disrupted Acapulco’s transport sector, leading to almost 90% of the city’s passenger vans suspending operations earlier in the year.
Gang conflict has plagued Acapulco since 2006, with various factions fighting for control over drug trafficking routes and extortion schemes targeting local businesses and transport operators.
The violence isn’t limited to buses and taxis. Truck drivers also face increased risks. Reports of violent highway robberies, often leading to the drivers’ murders, have led the Mexican-American Federation of Truck Drivers and other industry groups to demand action.
While a projected protest on a major highway outside Mexico City was avoided following assurances of dialogue with federal officials, the threats to transport workers remain a significant concern.
Criminal gangs have intensified their activities, not only hijacking trucks for their goods but also killing drivers and stripping vehicles for parts.
Guerrero, known for its beautiful coastal resorts and historic towns, continues to grapple with the twin challenges of natural disasters and organized crime.
