Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Oct 9 (EFE). – The shutdown of the United States federal government affected border crossings between Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and El Paso, US, due to a reduction of Customs and Border Protection agents at the checkpoints, leading to long lines and delays of several hours, as witnessed by EFE on Thursday.
The delays, which started during the weekend, are already impacting the binational economy, as waiting times are affecting the movement of workers, tourists, and goods between the two countries.
This was indicated by Gerardo, one of the Juarez residents interviewed at the Cordova-Americas International Bridge, who considered that the situation has a direct impact on economic activity.
“Well, I think it’s bad because we’re taking longer at the international crossings, and it’s affecting us (…) We’re a border with a lot of international economic flow, both in tourism and foreign trade,” he told EFE.
Other drivers agreed that the lines have become longer, and they fear that the situation will worsen, given that the federal government shutdown is now entering its second week with no political solution in sight. As a result, thousands of US public workers have been temporarily left without jobs and salaries.
“Yes, because of the time we waste here in line. (…) Perhaps people will stop coming because it’s such a waste of time. The lines are very long,” said Cecilia, another Juarez resident affected.
Trade between Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua state) and El Paso (Texas state) is one of the most active on the US-Mexico border, with thousands of people crossing daily in both directions to buy products, work, or visit family.
This is the case for William, who crosses into El Paso every day for work and who lamented that the waits have been as long as six hours.
“These last three days, there have been lines of sometimes three, five, six hours, and that makes it more difficult and more complicated to get to work.”
Although some users reported smoother traffic flow at certain times of the day, they acknowledge that the government shutdown represents a new obstacle for the most dynamic border between Mexico and the United States.
“It has always affected us. I’ve lived here in Juárez my whole life, and there have always been problems, always, but people continue to cross (…) for work, trade, family, for whatever reason, but that’s how it is,” said Armando Valerio.
According to local authorities, delays are expected to continue as long as the partial government shutdown persists and full staffing is not restored at international crossings in Ciudad Juárez, a city of more than 1.5 million inhabitants that is heavily dependent on exports to the US. EFE
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