Mexico: Protest blockades likely to persist on Mexico City-Cuernavaca and La Pera-Cuautla highways in Morelos State through at least early September /update 1

Protest blockades will likely continue to impede the flow of traffic on the Mexico City-Cuernavaca highway (Federal Highway 95D) and the La Pera-Cuautla highway (Federal Highway 115D) in Morelos State through at least early September. Residents of Tepoztlan began the protest activity on Sept. 3 to demand the completion of highway projects in the area and free passage through local toll booths. The blockades have reportedly prompted the closure of the Mexico City-Cuernavaca highway at Kilometer 71 as well as the La Pera-Cuautla highway at the Tepoztlan Toll Plaza in the direction of La Pera. Demonstration organizers have asserted that protest participants would intermittently block traffic in the region until authorities accede to their demands.

Authorities will probably maintain a heightened security presence in the affected areas to monitor the protest activity and negotiate the reopening of the blocked highway stretches. Clashes between police and protesters are possible, especially if officers attempt to forcibly disperse the demonstrators.