The Tren Transísmico is Mexico’s New Interoceanic Railway that connects the Pacific with the Atlantic coasts.
Mexico has inaugurated a new railway project that connects the Gulf of Mexico with the Pacific Ocean, crossing the narrow Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The Tren Transísmico, or Interoceanic Railway, was officially launched on December 22, 2023, by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who hailed it as a historic achievement for the country’s development.
The railway covers a distance of 1,096 kilometers, linking the ports of Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz and Salina Cruz in Oaxaca. It also connects with other strategic points, such as the Dos Bocas port in Tabasco, the Tren Maya in Palenque, Chiapas, the Felipe Ángeles International Airport in the State of Mexico, and the Mexico-Toluca Insurgent Train.
The Tren Transísmico is not only a passenger service, but also a cargo transport system that aims to boost the trade and industry of the region. According to the president, the railway will offer a faster and cheaper alternative to the Panama Canal, which currently faces saturation and water scarcity issues. The railway will also benefit the local communities, creating jobs and promoting tourism and culture.
The Tren Transísmico is a revival of an old project that dates back to the Porfirio Díaz era when the first interoceanic railway was built in 1907. However, the railway declined after the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 and was eventually abandoned. The current administration decided to rehabilitate the railway as part of its infrastructure plan for the south-southeast region of the country.
The Tren Transísmico is expected to become a key element of Mexico’s economic and social integration, as well as a symbol of its national identity and sovereignty. The railway will also foster cooperation and exchange between Mexico and other countries in Central America and the Caribbean.
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