Officials say the attempted cargo train derailment in Guanajuato highlights growing risks to supply chains and regional commerce
Authorities in the Mexican state of Guanajuato confirmed an attempted derailment of a cargo train in the municipality of Cortazar, allegedly carried out by a criminal group seeking to steal the goods being transported. The incident, which resulted in no injuries, has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of rail routes used to move industrial and consumer goods across the region.
State Secretary of Government Jorge Jiménez Lona said the criminal group cut approximately 40 centimeters of rail, an act that could have led to a major tragedy had it not been for the quick response of the train operator.
Operator action prevented a major accident
According to Jiménez Lona, the operator detected the damage to the track and reduced speed, allowing the train to pass through the affected section without derailing.
“It didn’t work for them. Thanks to the operator’s skill, he slowed down and was able to get through the damaged section,” Jiménez Lona said in an interview with the outlet En Línea, noting that only part of the convoy crossed the compromised area.
Direct oversight of rail security falls under Mexico’s National Guard, though state officials said there is ongoing coordination with federal authorities to address incidents of this kind.
Financial pressure on criminal groups and new theft strategies
Jiménez Lona placed the attempted sabotage within a broader context of criminal groups seeking to replace lost revenue, following recent law enforcement operations that have significantly weakened their finances.
Among the most notable actions, he highlighted the seizure of more than three million liters of fuel, the result of joint operations between state and federal authorities.
“What we’ve seen is that criminal groups in that area have been hit very hard. That creates a significant financial impact, and obviously they look for other ways to obtain resources,” he said.
According to authorities, cargo trains traveling through the region do not carry agricultural products, but instead transport appliances, auto parts, and industrial goods, items with high resale value on the black market.
Call for stronger coordination with the federal government
In response to the attempted theft, the state government reiterated the need to strengthen prevention, surveillance, and monitoring, particularly along critical sections of rail infrastructure.
“The call right now is coordination. The governor has asked us to work closely with the federal government, to join forces with the National Guard, and to see how we can strengthen oversight,” Jiménez Lona said.
Officials acknowledged that sabotage of rail lines poses not only a public safety risk, but also a threat to supply chains, freight transport, and regional economic activity.
High levels of perceived insecurity in the region
The incident comes amid high levels of perceived insecurity in Guanajuato. According to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Irapuato ranked as the second city with the highest perception of insecurity in Mexico during the third quarter of 2025.
About 88.2% of residents reported feeling unsafe in the city, a figure narrowly below Culiacán, Sinaloa, which recorded 88.3%. Other cities with high insecurity perceptions included Chilpancingo, Ecatepec, and Cuernavaca.
Beyond an isolated incident
Security and logistics experts warn that attempted rail sabotage reflects growing pressure on key domestic trade routes, with potential consequences that extend beyond the local level and affect economic flows connecting Mexico to regional and cross-border markets.
For authorities and analysts, the challenge is not only to contain an isolated incident, but to protect critical infrastructure in a context where security, commerce, and public confidence are closely intertwined.
