Residents of San Juan Mazatlán Mixe detained two employees of the State Government Secretariat (Sego) in the Zócalo of Oaxaca City as a pressure tactic after a previously agreed-upon dialogue with state authorities failed to materialize.
According to the protesters, who are from the community of Lomas de Santa Cruz, a meeting had been scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to address various social demands. However, they claimed that the meeting never took place, which angered the displaced residents.
What are the residents of San Juan Mazatlán Mixe demanding?
The protesters stated that they had received evasive answers and a lack of seriousness from the officials, which led them to detain the employees until they received a clear response and formally initiated the dialogue.
They indicated that the Sego employees remained at the site under the protection of the community while a solution to the conflict was sought.
They warned that they would not release those detained until the established commitment was fulfilled, considering this measure the only way to guarantee that their demands would be heard and addressed by the relevant authorities.
The situation generated tension in the main square of Oaxaca City, where tourists, merchants, and citizens observed the protest unfolding.
Despite this, no acts of violence were reported; however, the presence of the protesters caused traffic disruptions in the area.
It should be noted that this was not the first time a similar incident has occurred in the context of this discontent.
Last Monday, two officials from the municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez were also detained by residents after they attempted to move a toilet installed in the area where the displaced people were staying.
On that occasion, both public servants were released minutes later after establishing dialogue with the protesters.
What have the authorities said about the detention in Oaxaca? The residents of San Juan Mazatlán Mixe reiterated the need for their demands to be addressed, which relate to social problems and previous agreements that, they asserted, have not been honored.
They stated that they have been in a state of forced displacement for several months, which has worsened their situation and led them to hold constant protests in the state capital.
To date, state authorities have not issued an official statement on these events nor have they confirmed whether the meeting requested by the protesters will be rescheduled.
Source: elfinanciero
