AMOTAC Calls Nationwide June 24 Mobilization Over Road Security, SICT Delays and Small Carrier Costs

AMOTAC is calling transport operators across Mexico to mobilize on June 24, demanding stronger highway security, faster SICT procedures, solutions to federal plate backlogs and relief from rising operating costs.

The Mexican Alliance of Carrier Organizations, known as AMOTAC, has announced a nationwide demonstration and transport mobilization for June 24, beginning at 7:00 a.m. across Mexico’s 32 states. The organization says the action is intended to pressure federal, state and municipal authorities to respond to unresolved demands involving highway security, SICT administrative delays, federal plate backlogs, operating costs and alleged abuses against small transport operators.

The announcement was made in a statement addressed to President Claudia Sheinbaum, government authorities, transport operators, road users and the general public. AMOTAC said small carriers remain “forgotten” despite their role in moving freight, passengers, tourism services and essential goods through Mexico’s supply chain.

Highway security is the central demand

AMOTAC’s main concern is road security. The organization says carriers are facing one of the most difficult periods of violence and crime on national highways, while accusing authorities of failing to provide effective surveillance and highway operations through the National Guard.

The security demand comes even as some data shows a recent decline in reported cargo theft. In April, cargo theft fell 15.6% to 385 cases, according to SESNSP and Logytek data cited by Mexico Business News. However, the risk remains concentrated across central logistics corridors, where freight operators continue to report exposure to theft, extortion and unsafe travel conditions.

For small transport businesses, highway insecurity is not only a safety issue. It raises insurance pressure, delays deliveries, increases fuel use, disrupts route planning and can force operators to avoid profitable lanes. Those costs are especially difficult for owner-operators and small fleets with limited cash reserves.

SICT paperwork and federal plate delays remain a major problem

Another major demand involves administrative delays at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation, known as SICT. AMOTAC says transport operators continue to face backlogs in license plates, licenses, certificates and other documents required to operate legally.

The organization argues that delays expose carriers to sanctions even when operators are trying to remain compliant. AMOTAC is also asking authorities to provide license plates and updated documents for older freight and tourism vehicles that are already registered in the system.

The concern is supported by recent plate issuance figures. In April 2025, SICT processed 14,041 federal freight permits, including 868 plate replacements and 1,090 new issuances, according to SICT data cited by MBN. During the same month in 2024, 17,877 plates were issued, 21.45% more than in 2025, while replacements totaled 948, 8.4% higher than in 2025.

By 2026, federal freight permit activity declined further. A total of 11,995 federal freight permits were processed, including 815 plate replacements and 940 new issuances, representing a 14.57% decline compared with 2025 and a 32% drop compared with 2024.

Temporary permits did not fully resolve the backlog

Back in 2025, SICT formalized temporary permits for federal cargo transport units operating without plates. The measure was intended to reduce disruptions while authorities addressed delays in plate issuance and documentation processes. It allowed carriers to continue operating legally while awaiting registration updates.

AMOTAC’s latest statement suggests the underlying administrative bottleneck remains unresolved for many operators. For small carriers, missing plates or delayed documents can mean stopped units, fines, lost loads and uncertainty with customers who need reliable transportation capacity.

Towing charges, municipal fees and checkpoint abuses

AMOTAC is also demanding action against excessive towing service charges at federal, state and municipal levels. The organization wants tow operators to respect official rates and says abusive charges add another layer of cost pressure for small transport businesses.

The group also criticized municipal permit fees imposed on transport operators entering cities to deliver goods and basic basket products. AMOTAC argues that these fees increase the cost of moving essential freight and create uneven conditions for small carriers that already face high fuel, maintenance, insurance and compliance expenses.

The list of unresolved demands also includes mandatory official operating rates, an end to alleged extortion at federal and military checkpoints, and a halt to what AMOTAC described as persecution of small transporters by the National Guard, state police and municipal police.

Water transport sanctions and Article 133 Bis 3-A

AMOTAC also requested changes to what it identified as Article 133 Bis 3-A of the National Water Law. The organization says the provision can sanction transporters for moving water. Under the law, penalties apply to anyone who intentionally transports national waters for profit while knowing that the water was illegally extracted.

Sanctions vary depending on the volume transported, with higher penalties applying when the amount is equal to or above 50,000 liters. AMOTAC argues that transport operators need clearer protections so they are not unfairly punished for cargo they are hired to move.

Transport pressure has been building

The June 24 call follows renewed pressure from transport and agricultural groups in Mexico City. In May, truck drivers and farmers marched to demand stronger road security, payment guarantees for grain producers and broader responses to rural-sector concerns.

AMOTAC has used nationwide mobilizations in the past to push for transport-sector demands. In February 2024, the organization carried out highway blockades over insecurity, extortion, double-trailer regulation and administrative issues. At the time, AMOTAC said talks with authorities had been unproductive, while federal officials reported ongoing dialogue and highway-security measures.

What could happen on June 24

According to the statement, if authorities do not provide a solution that addresses the organization’s demands, AMOTAC members will begin a slow-moving mobilization toward Mexico City’s Zócalo with their units.

The organization acknowledged that the action may create traffic disruptions and inconvenience for road users, but said the mobilization is necessary to call attention to the lack of results and to demand a “dignified and fair” transport sector.

Why this matters for trucking operators

The AMOTAC dispute highlights a broader issue for transport companies: compliance, documentation, road security and operating cost are now deeply connected. A carrier cannot remain profitable if it faces unsafe highways, delayed documents, unpredictable towing charges, municipal fees and enforcement uncertainty at the same time.

For operators following cross-border and North American freight trends, the situation is also relevant because disruptions in Mexico can affect supply chains tied to manufacturing, agriculture, automotive freight and consumer goods. Small carriers are often the first to absorb cost pressure, and their ability to operate legally and safely has direct consequences for freight reliability.

From a practical business perspective, transport operators should keep documentation current, track permit and plate status, review route risk, document checkpoint incidents and calculate the true cost per mile before accepting freight that may involve delays or higher compliance exposure. Where operating cost is the main concern, idle-time control and fuel efficiency also matter; in fleets where an auxiliary power unit is appropriate, solutions such as Go Green APU can be part of a broader cost-control strategy. For U.S. fleets watching similar compliance and maintenance pressures, Truck Savers continues to emphasize inspection readiness, uptime and preventive service as part of staying profitable in a more regulated environment.

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