Manzanillo, Mexico – The Port of Manzanillo is currently in turmoil as hundreds of transporters find themselves stranded due to mechanical and system failures in the port administration. The complications, exacerbated by heavy rains on Tuesday, have resulted in a tragic death due to the lack of medical attention for one of the transporters.
Since Wednesday night, the roads leading to the city of Manzanillo have been saturated with atypical traffic, as tractor-trailers responsible for loading and unloading merchandise at the port have been unable to access the facilities. The National Port System Administration (ASIPONA), a branch of the Mexican Navy, has reported significant mechanical failures affecting operations.
By midday today, ASIPONA announced that all computer systems were functioning correctly and that it was working to facilitate the entry of trailers with appointments from the previous day and today, aiming to alleviate the traffic congestion that has overwhelmed the city.
Mayor Griselda Martínez of Manzanillo assured the public that Civil Protection is actively providing water and medical attention to those stranded, while Public Security is offering transportation services for individuals wishing to reach the city. However, she voiced her dissatisfaction with the National Guard’s absence, noting the issue’s impact on the tourism sector.
“For me, it is very regrettable, especially during vacation season; Manzanillo is not just a port but also a tourist destination, and we have a large number of tourists currently trapped in this gridlock,” said Mayor Martínez. She announced plans to file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission against those she believes are responsible for these recurring road collapses, which infringe upon the human right to mobility and have resulted in fatalities.
“It’s already excessive. We have been quite tolerant, and we can’t continue this way any longer,” Martínez stated in a video released this afternoon.
The current predicament has been further complicated by the removal of the 170-hectare Truck Regulation Yard. Previously rented by ASIPONA from private entities, this facility was used to park trailers and manage traffic entering the port via a ticket or appointment system. Its absence has significantly contributed to the lack of space for trucks waiting to enter the port.
