In the heart of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, the community of Capulálpam de Méndez, a Zapotec population, has raised its voice against mining exploitation that has devastated its environment and its health. The agrarian and communal authorities have demanded that the federal and state governments definitively close the La Natividad mine, arguing that the extraction of minerals has caused irreversible damage since 2003.
On June 1, the inhabitants of Capulálpam intercepted a truck from the La Natividad mining company, loaded with extracted materials. This action was an act of protest against an activity that, according to them, has led to the extinction of 13 aquifers and has contaminated other vital water sources for the community. In a sign of their determination, they also blocked the federal highway to San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, a gesture that led to the suspension of the presidential elections in the town the next day.
The community has filed complaints with the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat). However, their calls have been largely ignored. “The laws protecting the environment and the rights of our community have not been applied,” laments the Commissariat of Communal Property.
On October 3, 2019, they directly requested an interview with Víctor Manuel Toledo, head of Semarnat that year, to inform him “about the severe and chronic environmental impact that mineral extractivism has caused to our community and more than 25 indigenous communities in the region of the Sierra Juárez of Oaxaca. The impact on the environment in communally owned territories and ecosystems of the mountains is and has historically been severe, an environmental impact carried out by the Compañía Minera de la Natividad y Anexas, Continuum Resources LTD and other associated companies.”
One more six-year period of indifference
Successive letters, requests, calls to different federal government bodies were of no use, including one with a large presence of officials originally from Oaxaca, as is the case of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples INPI, which was indifferent to the demand to carry out administrative and inter-institutional efforts to stop mining in the Sierra Norte and in the state of Oaxaca. Even the tone of these documents began to vary as the federal administration progressed, which will conclude in September 2024.
In August 2020, a community document states “there is discontent and anger in the community because it has been the same for many years, there is no progress in concrete solutions”, “since there is no informational progress to inform the community, because the representatives of Semarnat do not come with decision-making power.” At that time, Mayolo Hernández Hernández, who presented himself as coordinator of agreements with the secretary and representative of SEMARNAT, promised to follow the case. Months passed, Víctor Manuel Toledo left SEMARNAT and, as we can currently see, everything remained as only promises.
Already under the ownership of María Luisa Albores González, the demands of the community continued, in September 2022. Through a letter, the community requested information on the progress that may have been made so far by the institution to reach the closure of the mining company and requested that Semarnat, within the framework of its powers, not approve environmental resolutions in favor of the mining company. A new envoy from Semarnat, Daniel Quezada Daniel, was in contact with the community to follow up on the case, such that once again everything remained as promises only. The year 2024 arrived and the community decided to retain a company truck and block the road.
Community outrage intensified further following a wildfire on June 5th that caused irreversible damage. Thanks to inter-community support and the quick action of neighboring towns such as Ixtlán de Juárez, Santa María Yahuiche, San Miguel del Río and Guelatao de Juárez, the fire was put out. The community authorities have highlighted the solidarity and fellowship shown in this tragedy, also thanking the organizations, residents and media that supported with food, water, medicine and responsible coverage of the events.
The fire left an indelible mark on the community, not only due to the material damage, but also due to the reaffirmation of unity among the people of the region. “In this tragedy we have highlighted the ties of fellowship between communities for their prompt action to put out the fire, a fact that strengthened us,” acknowledged the Capulálpam authorities. Despite the rapid response, the damage was described as “extremely large and irreversible.” This is the summary of the indignation at yet another six-year term that ends, while mining looting continues in Oaxaca.
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