MCALLEN, Texas — Protesters in Mexico shut down various international bridges across the border as they demanded a solution to difficult regulations and excessive tariffs for importing U.S. cars into Mexico.
Carrying signs and placards, protesters in Matamoros, Reynosa and in other major ports of entry along the border seek halted traffic in order to force the Mexican government to meet with representatives of those in the import and export of vehicles.
On Monday morning, the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros issued a notice warning travelers along the border to expect delays when travelling to and from Mexico because of the planned protests.
Just after noon, protesters in Matamoros set up chairs and a barbecue grill as they blocked the access to the Veterans International Bridge which connects the border city to Brownsville. Photographs posted on social media showed protesters enjoying grilled meats and sitting in the lawn chairs while Mexican authorities stood by in order to keep the peace.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Eduardo Perez told Breitbart Texas that the protest began at around 1 p.m. prompting the city of Brownsville to divert traffic to other bridges using the Brownsville Police Department to direct traffic.
In a simultaneous fashion, a protest began shortly before 1 p.m. protesters in Reynosa near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, Phillip Barrera a spokesman with U.S. Customs and Border Protection told Breitbart Texas. The city of Pharr temporarily suspended private vehicle travel into Mexico while Pharr Police redirected traffic away from the bridge.
CBP officers remained at the bridge ready to process any traveler coming in from Mexico once traffic resumes, Barrera.
While traffic resumed in Reynosa shortly after 2 p.m., the protest in Matamoros continued into the evening CBP officials said.
“I’m sure they have a legitimate reason to protest, but by blocking the bridge they created a big traffic problem for the people that commute every day,” said Cesar Martinez, a truck driver for a manufacturing plant in Matamoros. “Now we have to drive 30 to 40 minutes to the other commercial bridge.”
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