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Cargo theft on Mexico’s highways is falling by the count, but becoming more dangerous by the mile.
Theft falls, violence rises
Official data cited by FreightWaves shows cargo theft targeting freight transport in Mexico fell 21% year over year in the first five months of 2026, but industry leaders said attacks have become more violent, with at least 14 truck drivers killed this year.
That creates an uncomfortable split for carriers. The spreadsheet says risk is easing. The road tells a different story.
Corridors remain exposed
The highest risk remains on central and western freight lanes, including routes through Mexico State, Puebla, Veracruz, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Colima. C.H. Robinson said a federal operation in Jalisco on February 22 triggered disruptions across several states, temporarily closing the Port of Manzanillo and halting customs operations in Guadalajara and Manzanillo.
For operators moving project cargo, automotive parts, electronics or chemicals, those corridors are not optional shortcuts. They are arteries.
Trade keeps moving
The security picture contrasts with strong U.S. Mexico freight demand. C.H. Robinson said Mexico remained the United States’ top trading partner in the first quarter of 2026, while non oil exports to the U.S. rose 18% year over year across the quarter.
Capacity is also tightening in some border markets as B1 driver visa enforcement adds pressure to cross-border trucking supply.
Investment continues
Infrastructure spending is still moving ahead. The Port of Brownsville completed the $295.2 million Brazos Island Harbor Improvement Project, deepening the Brownsville Ship Channel by 10 feet and raising the main channel depth to 52 feet.
That gives South Texas more maritime capacity just as Mexico related manufacturing and logistics flows continue to expand.
For shippers, the message is clear. Lower theft totals do not remove the need for guarded routing, secure parking, daylight movement, driver check-ins and contingency planning on exposed Mexican lanes.
