Demonstrators Protesting Over Gas Costs Disrupt Tijuana-US Border Crossings Elliot Spagat - The Associated Press
go to original January 24, 2017

Protests prompt closures at U.S.-Mexico border (U-T/Killer Dragon)

Protesters in Mexico who are upset about gas prices have occupied inspection lanes several times this month for vehicles entering from the U.S. At the request of the Mexican government, U.S. authorities have been blocking vehicles from entering Mexico.

In other places, Mexican authorities have abandoned their positions, letting protesters wave people through without being stopped.

On Sunday, U.S. authorities blocked southbound vehicle traffic for 5½ hours at the San Ysidro port of entry between Tijuana and San Diego, the busiest crossing on the border. The California Highway Patrol directed motorists several miles east to the Otay Mesa crossing.

It was the third straight weekend that freeway access into Mexico has been blocked at San Ysidro. In Nogales, Arizona, motorists were diverted to another crossing on Sunday for the second time this month.

"I don't know of any precedent for protesters taking over ports of entry in either direction," said David Shirk, associate professor of political science and international relations at the University of San Diego. "It obviously underscores the public sentiment in Mexico today, which is extremely anti-government."

Travelers entering the U.S. from Mexico and pedestrians going to Mexico have not been affected.

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