## Blanca Alcalá, Mexican Federal Deputy, Targeted in Highway Robbery and Kidnapping
Blanca María del Socorro Alcalá Ruiz, a federal deputy for the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), experienced a harrowing ordeal on the Mexico-Puebla highway. On the days of August 26 and 27, 2024, she and her assistant were intercepted, robbed, and held captive for at least seven hours.
Blanca Alcalá, former mayor of Puebla de Zaragoza, used her social media account on X (formerly known as Twitter) to share her traumatic experience. “The unfortunate events I, alongside my assistant, were subjected to leave me deeply distressed and reflect the harsh reality thousands face daily on Mexico’s highways,” she stated. Despite the fear and concern, she expressed relief in being able to reunite with her family and thanked the public for their support.
Local and national media outlets report that the kidnapping occurred around 9:00 PM on August 26. A group of men intercepted Alcalá on the Mexico-Puebla highway, reportedly using road spikes in Chalco to immobilize their vehicle. The assailants then abducted Alcalá and her driver, holding them for hours, during which time they extorted money from her bank accounts.
The criminals transported their hostages to a wasteland in Chalco, where other kidnapped individuals were also held. The perpetrators robbed them of cash, valuable possessions, and extracted personal information to threaten their families for more money.
The kidnappers decided to release Alcalá and her driver upon discovering she was a federal legislator, warning them against reporting the incident. After her release around 4:00 AM on August 27, the PRI’s National Executive Committee voiced its solidarity with Alcalá and demanded enhanced security on the Mexico-Puebla highway, calling it a “red flag” for crime.
Alcalá, who previously ran for governor of Puebla in 2016, held numerous significant positions, including Mexican ambassador to Colombia. The PRI reiterates its concerns over the deteriorating safety on the country’s highways and calls for immediate government action.
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### Additional Recent Developments on Highway Safety in Mexico
#### Escalating Insecurity on Mexican Highways Causes National Concern
In recent months, the state of security on Mexican highways has worsened, resulting in a surge of kidnappings and robberies. This trend has raised alarm among citizens and officials alike, sparking demands for comprehensive safety measures across major roadways.
A notable incident occurred in July 2024 when a family was abducted while traveling through the Michoacán-Guanajuato highway. The family was held for several hours before being safely released, after which they reported the matter to local authorities. These events mirror numerous accounts of travelers experiencing similar dangers, often involving armed groups and sophisticated ambush tactics.
In response, the federal government has vowed to increase patrols and install more surveillance equipment on vulnerable stretches of highways. However, public confidence remains low due to the pervasive fear of encountering criminal activity during travel.
Authorities continue to urge travelers to take precautions, such as avoiding late-night journeys and reporting suspicious activities immediately. The ongoing threat underscores the need for stronger enforcement and coordinated efforts to enhance road safety nationwide.
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