Mexico Cargo Theft Remains Violent Despite Sharp Corridor Declines

Mexico is reporting fewer cargo thefts on several major freight corridors, but new data shows the remaining risk is still heavily concentrated and often violent. FreightWaves reported August 23 that Mexican authorities have recorded 2,519 cargo thefts so far in 2026. National Guard commander Guillermo Briseño Lobera projected a 37% full-year decline from the 6,263 incidents reported in 2025.

Officials credited the Balam highway-security strategy, which operates in 12 states, with improving recoveries and reducing incidents. Government figures cited particularly steep declines on the Mexico-Querétaro and Mexico-Puebla routes. Those improvements do not eliminate operational exposure. Overhaul's second-quarter analysis found that 76% of reported theft incidents involved violence and that 77% occurred in Mexico's Center and West regions.

The State of Mexico, Puebla and Guanajuato accounted for nearly half of second-quarter theft activity. Food and beverage freight remained the most frequently targeted category at 30%, followed by miscellaneous freight, auto parts, construction and industrial products, and fuel. Eighty-five percent of incidents occurred Monday through Friday, while the highest-risk time block was 6 p.m. to midnight.

For cross-border carriers, the mixed picture argues for lane-specific controls instead of assuming a national decline makes every route safer. Dispatchers should review planned stops, avoid unvetted parking, maintain scheduled check calls and define an escalation process for route deviations or lost tracking signals. Drivers should follow company security procedures, keep shipment details private and prioritize personal safety during any confrontation. Shippers and brokers can strengthen pickup verification, use layered tracking for higher-risk loads and confirm who receives alerts after hours. The statistics point to progress, but the continuing violence means cargo-security planning remains essential on Mexico freight lanes.