Native Totonaco y Maseual Mexicans Declare Autonomy From Mexican Government In Sierra Norte de Puebla (10/27/2017); 0100

La Cartita -- Native Totonaco y Maseual Mexicans declared themselves autonomous from the Mexican federal government last week. In a press release, the communities that reside in the Sierra Norte de Puebla, a mountainous region in northern Puebla, declared that they were tired of being used for electioneering efforts while simultaneously being denied recognition as a native and independent people. Latino/Mestizo/European culture has long subjugated indigenous communities, stealing drinking water, labor, land and other resources from the fertile region.

Totonaco communities organize against mega projects from foreign corporations in Mexico source: Tiyat Tlali Sierra Norte

Senseless consumerism predicated on ill conceived measures of economic 'growth' have justified the continued exploitation of the Totonacapan region. The people have said 'no more' and are demanding an end to new hydroelectric plants and foreign resource extraction. The continued privatization of PEMEX has formented these developments.

The companies Comexhidro, Walmart, Gesa, Gaya, Almaden Minerals, Frisco, Grupo México among others, are being accused of predatory business practices. They are accused of purchasing one square meter of land for less than 10 cents in areas from people who are illiterate. The companies also pin local communities against one another in their drive to commercialize properties, with the Mexican government's help, according to the release.

The press release also noted a government ploy to bribe local women with money and restrictive projects. The Totonacan campaign implores readers to resist the dynamic of legitimizing exploitation by accepting 'blood money'. They note that the government has continued to try to steer them towards destruction and invisibilization.

For now, the situation in Puebla remains tense. Forced disappearances and arrests have taken place in the state. There is also an increasing presence of trafficking groups who have an interest in exploiting any land with an intense concentration of poverty for drug development.