economy
February 23, 2026
Mexico violence after cartel boss killing slows cross-border trade, hitting air freight, trucking, ports
Violence across Mexico after the killing of a cartel boss is hitting trucks, ports and air freight for a critical trading partner to the U.S.
TL;DR
- Violence across Mexico, triggered by the killing of a cartel boss, is disrupting logistics operations for air, port, and trucking.
- Passenger airlines, which transport about half of air freight, have canceled flights to and from several Mexican cities.
- Trucking capacity has tightened due to highway blockades and carriers' unwillingness to enter affected areas of western Mexico.
- The Port of Manzanillo, Mexico's busiest container port, has experienced interruptions in freight movement.
- US trade with Mexico is at risk if the violence continues.
- Logistics companies like Kuehne + Nagel and CH Robinson are experiencing difficulties with cargo delivery, pickup, and port operations.
- The US State Department issued shelter-in-place orders for several Mexican states due to the unrest.
- Trucking spot rates and dwell times are increasing as capacity tightens at the border.
- Delays are expected through at least the first half of the week for shipments touching western Mexico.
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