We reproduce below an unofficial translation of a contribution made by the Mexican comrades of Sol Rojo on 11th of November.
A few days ago, different agrarian authorities met to discuss a comprehensive resistance agenda in a spirit of unity and agrarian struggle. At this meeting, the representation of the municipality of Santa Cruz Tagolaba, a municipality opposing the enforcement of the Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) at Istmo de Tehuantepec, participated as a special guest, denouncing the abuses by the CIIT and the three levels of government that carried out the political imprisonment of comrade Salvador Pinal Meléndez, a member of the Zapotec community and activist of the Popular Current-Sol Rojo, who is a hostage of the 4T in Tehuantepec prison. At this meeting the following statement was made.
Justice for Paso de la Reyna; Oaxaca mining-free, security for human rights defenders: agrarian authorities.
The agrarian authorities gathered in Oaxaca City on 5th of November 2021 as part of the Meeting of Agrarian Authorities: Land and Territory, an Alternative for Life, express the following:
1. our solidarity and our demand for justice for the defenders murdered in Paso de la Reyna; we are aware that to date there has been no progress either in the investigation or in terms of security.
2. we call on the federal authorities to reject the environmental impact assessment of the Cuzcatlán mining company called "update of works and activities". The environment in the Central Valleys is in danger due to the irregular operations of the "San José" mining project.
3. We demand that the federal authorities respect the right of self-determination and the territory of Capulálpam de Méndez. We denounce that the Natividad mining company does not have the appropriate environmental impact permits and demand that the irregular mining operations be stopped. We also demand that the courts guarantee the territorial rights of the community of Capulálpam de Méndez with regard to the successful appeal filed by the community.
4. We denounce the fact that the Regional Public Prosecutor's Office, based in Istmo, has remained inactive in relation to the complaints made by the municipality of Santa Cruz Tagolaba. This situation creates a climate of uncertainty and insecurity for the defenders of this community. We also demand the immediate release of community member and defender Salvador Pinal Meléndez.
5. We call on the federal and state governments to take protective measures and to pay urgent attention to the defenders of the territory. We also demand that the security and integrity of the agrarian authorities in the state of Oaxaca be guaranteed.
6. We reaffirm our commitment to the defence of the territories in Oaxaca, the strengthening of our organisation and sense of community, and the defence of life.
Sincerely yours:
Paso de la Reyna Police Officer. Ejidal Commissariat Paso de la Reyna. President of COPUDEVER. Ejidal Commissariat Magdalena Ocotlán. Santos Reyes Nopala Vigilance Council. Municipal councillor of Santa Cruz Tagolaba. Police officer San Lucas Atoyaquillo. Police officer of Corral de Piedra. Municipal Councillor of San Martín de los Cansecos. Municipal Council of Capulálpam de Méndez. Supervisory Committee of Capulálpam de Méndez. Municipal Council of San Dionisio Ocotepec. Municipal Council of San Matías Chilazoa. Municipal Council of San Pedro Tututepec. Municipal Council of San Nicolás Yaxe. Supervisory Committee of San Nicolás Yaxe. Municipal Council of Santa Catarina Minas.
