The recent blockades on Federal Highway 57—particularly on the stretch leading toward Querétaro—stemming from residents of the Jofrito community (in the Santa Rosa Jáuregui district) blocking the Querétaro–San Luis Potosí highway to demand a regular supply of potable water for their homes, have once again raised alarms within San Luis Potosí’s business sector. The sector warned of direct adverse effects on the movement of goods, supply chains, and logistics operations, all of which rely almost exclusively on this single overland connection route.
Ana María Abascal, President of the Mexican Employers’ Confederation (Coparmex) in San Luis Potosí, noted that any interruption on this highway inevitably impacts the local and regional economy, as it serves as the primary corridor connecting the central and northern regions of the country.
She explained that Highway 57 represents practically the only functional overland access route for transporting goods from southern to northern Mexico; consequently, any closure or protest generates immediate repercussions for businesses and transport operators.
“The entire movement of products and infrastructure depends on that route. There is truly no way to avoid adverse effects when blockades occur,” she stated.
The business leader indicated that one of the primary concerns centers on perishable goods, as prolonged delays sometimes result in merchandise arriving in poor condition—or even becoming unsalable.
She detailed that the negative impacts extend beyond large industries to include small businesses, suppliers, and distribution networks that utilize this route daily to supply shops and workplaces.
While acknowledging that protests are part of citizens’ right to demand solutions to various issues, she deemed it necessary to also analyze the economic and social impact caused by prolonged highway closures.
Abascal commented that many protests stem from legitimate demands across various sectors; she therefore emphasized the importance of establishing more robust dialogue mechanisms between authorities and aggrieved groups to prevent conflicts from escalating to the point of disrupting mobility and productive activity. From a business perspective, she noted, the solution cannot be limited solely to clearing highways once a conflict has begun, but must instead address the underlying causes giving rise to the protests.
The president of Coparmex further maintained that the weakening of the rule of law remains one of the primary challenges facing the country, particularly regarding issues related to security, governability, and investment certainty.
Source: sanluis.eluniversal
