KANSAS CITY – As a result of another traffic stoppage due to civil unrest in the Mexican state of Michoacán, Kansas City Southern on Friday invoked Force Majeure in the Caltzontzin District of subsidiary Kansas City Southern de Mexico.
Force Majeure is a legal concept excusing a party for its inability to perform a contractual obligation through no fault of its own.
Later that day, as tracks were cleared of protesters, KCS lifted the Force Majeure condition.
“We remain cautiously optimistic that the mainline will remain clear but, in matters of civil protests, risk remains,” KCS officials say. “We will be monitoring the situation closely and will communicate should the status change.”
It’s the fifth KCSM shutdown this year and has affected KCSM service to the major Mexican port of Lázaro Cárdenas.
KCS says protests are not related to KCSM.
Latin American media report track blockages along with bus and truck hijackings as a result of October and November protests stemming from college student objections to decisions by administrators.
Earlier, striking teachers and protests regarding drug cartels halted KCSM service to Lázaro Cárdenas.
