Cartel Violence Disrupts US-Mexico Freight Corridors

The recent killing of Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has sent shockwaves through western Mexico and the critical freight corridors connecting the United States and Mexico. According to FreightWaves, the violent retaliation from the CJNG following El Mencho's death has led to highway blockades, the temporary closure of the Port of Manzanillo, and broader disruptions to cross-border trade. The Port of Manzanillo is a major gateway for freight moving between the U.S. and Mexico, handling over 2.8 million TEUs in 2022. 'The violence has been so intense that it's disrupting the supply chain,' said Sergio Ornelas, a security analyst based in Guadalajara. 'Trucks are being hijacked, highways are being blocked, and there's a lot of uncertainty about the ability to move goods.' The unrest has rippled across the region, with reports of cartel members attacking police stations and engaging in gun battles with security forces. This has forced the temporary closure of the Port of Manzanillo on multiple occasions as a precautionary measure. 'It's a very tense and volatile situation,' Ornelas added. 'The cartels are fighting for control of strategic smuggling routes and it's having a major impact on commercial traffic.' The disruptions come at a critical time, as the U.S. and Mexico work to strengthen supply chain resilience and trade ties. Industry groups and officials are closely monitoring the situation and urging both governments to take steps to protect the vital freight corridors between the two countries.