Mexico's Interior Department recently denounced towns putting up roadblocks and imposing curfews. They believe the measures made to curb the spread of the virus violates constitutional rights.

The department urged towns and states to stop observing lockdown measures to preserve the people's right to free movement. They argued that local government officials do not have the power to impose restrictive policies. The Interior Department also said the health emergency does not call for the suspension of rights.

Roughly 340 Mexican municipal governments have put up checkpoints or limits to people's movements. Most concentrated on beach towns, banning travelers who could potentially spread the virus.

Dozens of towns have also imposed strict curfews. Three states threatened to imprison those who do not obey the social distancing rules.

The department said arresting people encourage abuse of authority and can profoundly impact food and medicine supplies.


Roadblock Shooting

Police in southern Mexico may face charges after they allegedly opened fire at a group of anti-virus roadblock protesters on Wednesday.

According to the initial investigation, at least one man was seriously injured when police from the Yajalon fired on protesters who believe the roadblocks cut their community from the rest of the world. The man is now receiving medical care after being shot in the back and the chest.

The anti-roadblock demonstrators gathered at a health-services checkpoint at Yajalon. They began throwing stones at the officials. The activists said the inspections cut the Tumabala township off from much-needed services.

Local prosecutors said they plan to file murder charges against the public servants involved in the incident. Some demonstrators will also be given assault and gang charges for injuring law enforcement officers during the confrontation.

The Digna Ochoa, Human Rights Committee, said Tumbala residents had no access to bank offices and other services. They also believe the Chiapas government and health department provoked the protest by setting up illegal roadblocks around the township.

The checkpoints were put up to keep the Tumbala residents - who are mainly indigenous members- from entering other towns on the belief that they had a higher infection rate.


Maximum Capacity

At least five of Mexico City's most significant private hospitals have reportedly filled up all bed spaces available. Although other medical centers still have over 100 beds available, they are no longer receiving COVID-19 carriers.

A doctor at the ABC medical center also reported a shortage in respirators, with 37 of its total 40 being used.

The demand for beds surged in recent days as health workers grapple with 16,752 coronavirus patients, with the capital seeing 4,400 infected individuals. Authorities recorded 1,569 deaths as of Wednesday. However, the real tally is significantly higher than reported.

Former health secretary, Jose Narro, criticized Hugo Lopez-Gatell's for releasing coronavirus figures that do not add up. He says the tally does not fully cover the virus in its full dimension, generating mistrust and uncertainty.

He believes the number of COVID-19 infected patients is eight or even 30 times higher than what is being reported. "The difference," he said, "can be between 120,000 and 500,000."