Residents of Xochimilco borough blocked both directions of the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway on Friday, March 27, to demand potable water supply. The protest lasted nearly five hours and was lifted at the Tlalpan Toll Plaza. It disrupted travelers during the Easter week vacation season.
Protesters from neighborhoods in Xochimilco borough closed both directions of the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway at the Tlalpan Toll Plaza, chanting “Water is a right” and “We want water”.
Residents claim a lack of potable water supply for over a month. They say they feel excluded by borough authorities as indigenous communities. Protesters stated the borough promised water tankers, but support stopped after one week.
Caminos y Puentes Federales (Capufe) reported the closure was ongoing due to protesters and recommended alternate routes like the Tlalpan Elevated Viaduct or the federal highway. It advised calling 088 for Guardia Nacional Highways or 074 for more information.
Personnel from the Guardia Nacional and the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) arrived at the scene, though no immediate response from Mexico City government or borough authorities was reported.
After more than four hours, residents removed obstacles, reopening traffic. The protest caused chaos for hundreds of truckers, passenger buses, and vehicles heading south from Mexico City, at the start of Easter week vacations when many travel to Cuernavaca or Acapulco.
