On March 12, residents from 16 mountain communities in Guerrero, Mexico, blocked all four lanes of the Autopista del Sol near Tierras Prietas. Their protest seeks the government’s attention to fulfill demands for rural roads, an extended electricity network, adequate drainage, potable water, and health centers. This demonstration follows a week of protests in Omiltemi, where residents shut down water valves to draw attention to their plight.

The primary motivation behind the protests is the urgent need for basic infrastructure and essential services that have been neglected by local, state, and federal authorities. The communities involved, primarily from Chilpancingo, have expressed that they will maintain the blockade until Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda arrives to hear their demands directly. The communities feel that their voices have not been adequately represented in governmental discussions and planning regarding their needs.

As a result of the blockade, traffic chaos has ensued on the Autopista del Sol, with long queues of private vehicles, buses, and trucks trapped in the jam. Protestors emphasize their commitment to the blockade, warning that it will persist until they receive a meeting with the governor. This situation highlights long-standing issues of uneven development and accessibility in rural areas of Mexico, where residents frequently struggle to obtain basic resources and government attention.