In a letter to federal authorities, Gov. Claudia Pavlovich says the blockades, in which members of Yaqui indigenous communities obstruct motorists and request payment for passage, are a risk to drivers.
There have been recent incidents that have turned violent, she says, adding that immediate action is necessary to avoid the possible loss of life.
In the same letter, Pavlovich recognizes the historical debt owed by Mexican authorities to the Yaqui people, who endured decades of intense state violence and repression.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pledged earlier this year to work on a number of longstanding demands of Yaqui communities, including improved access to quality healthcare, education and water.
