Displaced residents of the Nueva Palestina ejido, in the municipality of Ocosingo, in the Selva region of Chiapas, announced that they will demonstrate this Tuesday in downtown Tuxtla Gutiérrez to demand attention to their grievances. They claim to have been evicted from their homes four years ago without receiving any compensation or support for damages.
The protesters stated that the forced displacement occurred during the previous administration and that, despite numerous appeals, they never received an effective response. They indicated that they remain hopeful that the current state government will address their situation and allow progress toward a definitive solution, and that they will deliver a document to the governor. “A meeting has already been scheduled to seek a solution to our demands,” they affirmed.
In an interview, Versaín García, one of the displaced residents of the village of Palestina, explained that on December 15 and 16, 2021, several families were attacked with firearms and their homes were subsequently set on fire, forcing six families to abandon the community. Currently, the group consists of approximately 40 people, including men, women, senior citizens, and children.
He detailed that during Rutilio Escandón’s administration, their requests, which included returning to their homes and receiving compensation for the damages, were never addressed. However, given the passage of time and the risk of returning, they are now requesting relocation to a safe place, since—he asserted—their houses and land have been occupied by other people for the past four years.
“Tomorrow, Tuesday, we will be in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, starting at 10:30 a.m., in the city center. We will be demonstrating and holding a press conference to announce our demands. Fortunately, we have been informed that they will listen to us. We hope that the current government will help us resolve the problem of forced displacement,” said Versaín García.
Finally, he pointed out that some of the displaced people are currently living in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, where they face significant hardships, as children are not attending school, they lack medical care, and they are without basic support. Therefore, they also requested food supplies, hot drinks, and support from Civil Protection, especially given the low temperatures that are affecting children and the elderly.
“That is why we will be in Tuxtla Gutiérrez very early tomorrow, Tuesday, hoping that this time they will listen to us,” he concluded.
Source: oem
