Juárez-El Paso export backlog expected to take up to three weeks

EL PASO, TX – Even without an official announcement from the Texas Department of State Security (DPS), as of Tuesday morning, October 17, the exhaustive inspections of trailers at the international crossings between Juarez-El Paso were reduced.

Sergio Colín, president of Index Juárez, said that after the reduction in the tough export inspections, it could take up to three weeks and at maximum capacity, to end the backlog of cargo caused by the Texan government. According to the business organization’s estimates, the backlog of shipments could reach a value of US$2.1 billion.

In view of the uncertainty, representatives of different business organizations held a meeting in Ciudad Juarez with the Secretary of Innovation and Economic Development of Chihuahua, Maria Angelica Granados Trespalacios, with the purpose of following up on the steps taken regarding migration and resolving the export issue.

According to information issued by the Chihuahua Border Bridge Trust Fund (FPFCH), last Tuesday, October 17, the limitations on international crossings between Ciudad Juarez-El Paso resulted in economic losses of US$8.81 million.

With the above, the accumulated figure of damages totaled US$2.1 billion since September 18, the date on which the border crossings were closed, with the consequent slowdown in the transit of cargo vehicles.

Regarding the situation and how to remedy the delay left by the almost five weeks with limited crossings, leaders of the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) stated that they would seek a meeting with the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott.

Miguel Angel Martinez Millan, president of Canacar, said that they will continue with the negotiations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), the Ministry of Economy, the Government of Texas, the Government of Chihuahua and other business organizations to get out of the crisis.

Manuel Sotelo, president of the Association of Carriers of Ciudad Juarez, during the first day in which exports flowed normally, 3,587 loads crossed the border, compared to the 2,350 that crossed the border in previous days.