Mayan Communities in Yucatán March to Denounce Threats to Land and Water

Mérida, Yucatán — More than 200 people from Mayan communities across Yucatán marched through downtown Mérida on Sunday to denounce land dispossession, water contamination and the criminalization of environmental defenders.

The demonstration began at 10 a.m. at the Remate de Paseo de Montejo and headed to the Government Palace. Marchers from Kinchil, Ixil, Caucel Pueblo, Santa María Chi, Molas, Dzoyilá, Sisal and Dzitnup chanted slogans including “The territory is not for sale; it is loved and defended!” and “Defending the land is not a crime, it is a right.”

“The communities here today have problems, and we are making them visible to Yucatecan society — especially today, a Sunday, here in the capital. We are part of the culture; we are Yucatecans, and that matters. That they want to make us disappear in the 21st century is deplorable. We continue to raise our voices for the communities and society,” said Wilberth Nahuat, commissioner of Santa María Chi, before the march.

During the route, participants handed out flyers to residents and tourists explaining recent conflicts. They cited pig farms that contaminated water in Santa María Chi, the Las Dunas development in Chuburná that has damaged coastal ecosystems, and the case of Dzoyilá, where residents are defending Mayan archaeological basements threatened by the construction of a supermarket.

In a petition delivered to the state government, the communities demanded an immediate halt to irregular land-use permits for pig farms, housing developments and any other industrial activity that could irreparably damage local ecosystems and the peaceful way of life in Mayan villages.

Organizers also called on the public to join their cause and to hold authorities accountable for allowing abuses against indigenous communities.