"Report by the International Observation Mission to Rio Metlapanapa, Zacatepec, Puebla”, 17 de enero de 2020

On 3 December 2019, an International Observation Mission…visited the Nahua community of Santa María Zacatepec (henceforth Zacatepec), in the municipality of Juan C. Bonilla, Puebla, to document human rights violations perpetuated against members of the community in retaliation for their activities defending the Metlapanapa River…

The organisations participating in the mission received information on the conflict in Zacatepec (and which also affects surrounding communities), which stems from the intention to forcefully implement sanitary sewage systems and storm drainage. This would mean the installation of industrial pipelines across the territory of the community, as well as the discharge of toxic waste into the Metlapanapa River. Even though the community is protected by a writ, the project is moving forward without the necessary permits. Consequently, there has been a series of violations of individual and collective human rights of the Nahua community.

The community has expressed its opposition and mobilised a strong resistance movement demanding respect for its fundamental rights as an indigenous community, such as the right to self-determination. The pivotal point was the repression on 30 October 2019, when State Police of Puebla and the National Guard launched tear gas, fired rubber bullets and beat human rights defenders and community members who were protesting against the construction of the project…

See further news articles about the case here in Spanish.