In Oaxaca, the political parties that alternate in power have historically neglected the indigenous communities of the Mixe-Zapotec mountains in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The only road they have access to is in complete disrepair and deplorable condition, leading to numerous traffic accidents that have resulted in loss of life, increased prices for basic goods, and a lack of access to medical care.
In a statement, residents of the affected communities, belonging to the municipalities of Santa María Guienagati, Guevea de Humboldt, Santiago Lachiguiri, and Santiago Ixcuintepec, emphasized that the stretch of road from Santiago Laollaga to Santiago Ixcuintepec not only requires repairs but also the construction of bridges because the rivers and streams swell during the rainy season.
With swollen rivers and the terrible condition of the road, “a few months ago, a colleague from Santa Isabel la Reforma died due to lack of medical attention. Sick people don’t receive medical care because they can’t leave or because medical personnel can’t reach the villages… also, the increase in the prices of basic food items, especially during the rainy season, which is particularly bad in the mountainous region where it rains a lot. Everything goes up in price: tortillas, beans, oil, and rice.”
The communities have not only been demanding attention to this problem for years, but also a solution to the constant power outages throughout the mountains. Recently, residents of Guienagati reported constant interruptions in the electricity supply for more than a week, which has caused frustration, economic hardship, and disruption to the daily lives of the population. However, despite reports made to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), they have not clearly addressed this recurring problem.
The citizens explained that all these conditions of The neglect of these roads gravely violates their human rights, such as the right to safe mobility, established in Article 4 of the Mexican Constitution in December 2020: “Every person has the right to mobility under conditions of road safety, accessibility, efficiency, sustainability, quality, inclusion, and equality. This implies that roads must be safe and functional, not merely exist,” they pointed out.
They also reminded authorities at all levels of government that Article 1 of the Constitution mandates the proper, regular, and continuous conservation and maintenance of the roads, highways, and bridges in the state of Oaxaca; however, this law is clearly being violated.
Source: educaoaxaca
