Farmers Hold National Strike, 17 States Face Roadblocks

ByBaja News

This article originally appeared in the October 27, 2025 edition of Baja News.

Thousands of farmers belonging to the Peasant Agricultural Movement (MAC) and the National Union of Agricultural Workers (UNTA) began a national strike this Monday which included demonstrations and roadblocks in at least 17 states.

The protest’s main demand from the federal government is the establishment of a guaranteed price of 7,200 pesos per ton of corn, as well as greater support for the primary sector. Their demands also include the exclusion of basic grains from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the creation of an agricultural development bank, and the restructuring of credit for producers.

The demonstrations began at 8:00 a.m., with protesters warning that the blockades could become total starting at 10:00 a.m. if no agreement was reached with the authorities.

Organizers stated that the initial mandate is to allow free passage through toll booths, but warned that if there is no satisfactory response, the protests would intensify on high-traffic routes.

Producers in states such as Hidalgo and Sinaloa have expressed their discontent with the current low prices of corn, which they say range between 4,200 and 6,000 pesos per ton, an amount they consider insufficient to cover production costs, compounded by the high price of inputs, fertilizers, and diesel.

Faced with this situation, they have demanded a guaranteed minimum price of 7,500 pesos per ton. “Enough of the government’s lies. Our corn is at a low price. If they don’t help us, the country will come to a standstill; we will take over all the highways,” warned a farmer from Hidalgo during a protest in front of the National Palace.

According to various media reports, negotiations between agricultural groups and the federal government continued Sunday at the Ministry of the Interior, with no formal agreement being announced until the start of the protests.

The federal government’s negotiating skills will be put to the test this Monday, when President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first government report is also scheduled to be presented in the Chamber of Deputies.

Citizens are advised to take precautions and pay attention to warnings from traffic and civil protection authorities, as well as local media reports, regarding the progress of the mobilizations and affected routes.