Mexican Railway Operator Suspends Train Services in Northern Region Due to Migrant Safety Concerns

Mexican Railway Operator Suspends Train Services in Northern Region Due to Migrant Safety Concerns

Mexican Railway Operator Halts Train Services

In a move set to affect international trade, Ferromex, a Mexican railway operator, has temporarily suspended train operations in the northern part of the country. The decision, affecting 60 trains carrying cargo equivalent to 1,800 tractor trailers, is due to safety concerns for migrants who climb aboard the freight cars. The company has reported several incidents resulting in injuries or deaths among these migrants, creating an urgent need for intervention from authorities.

Migrant Safety a Top Concern

Ferromex, owned by the conglomerate Grupo Mexico, stated the suspension aims to ensure the safety of the migrants. Recent days have seen a significant increase in the number of migrants attempting to board moving freight cars, despite the grave danger it represents. The company is eager to protect the physical safety of these migrants, leading to the decision to halt operations until authorities can address the problem.

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Migrants Unaware of the Suspension

Despite the significant implications of the suspension, the majority of the migrants remain unaware of the decision, with hundreds still waiting on the tracks and in railway yards. The company reported approximately 1,500 people gathered at a rail yard in Torreon, and about 800 in Irapuato, with around 1,000 people riding freight cars on the train line connecting Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez.

Impact on International Trade and Industrial States

The train stoppage is forecasted to significantly affect key industrial states such as Nuevo Leon, Baja California, and Chihuahua, due to their links with the U.S. market. Ferromex is Mexico’s largest concessionary rail operator, and its suspension could hit these states hard. The shutdown is expected to disrupt the flow of goods and services, creating ripple effects in the international trade sector.

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Desperation Among Migrants on the Rise

The suspension coincides with an increase in desperation among migrants to reach the U.S. border. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid is currently overrun with asylum applications, and the number is predicted to reach a record 150,000 this year. Migrants have long used the trains, often referred to as “The Beast,” to hitch rides from as far south as Oaxaca state to the U.S. border. With the current suspension, their journey to the north becomes even more challenging.

Waiting for Authorities’ Intervention

As Ferromex awaits action from authorities to solve the problem, concerns remain for the safety of the migrants and the potential disruption to international trade. The decision to halt operations underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address the migrant crisis, ensuring their safety, and maintaining the steady flow of goods and services integral to the economy of the country and its trade partners.

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