Thousands of indigenous Tseltal, Chol, and Tojolabal inhabitants marched through regions of Chiapas in a massive demonstration to demand the suspension of the San Cristóbal-Palenque highway project, which is also known as the Route of the Mayan Cultures.
The mobilization coincided with the International Day of Indigenous Peoples and brought together residents from municipalities such as Chilón and Sitalá to protest against infrastructure works that they argue threaten their ancestral lands, water sources, and community cohesion. Protesters strongly rejected the imposition of the highway without proper prior consultation processes, asserting that the project prioritizes corporate and tourism interests over the rights and well-being of local communities.
Participants voiced deep worries regarding the potential destruction of local ecosystems, including forests, jungles, and springs, alongside the disruption of sacred sites. Beyond halting the highway construction, the groups also called for an end to regional violence, the protection of human rights defenders, and greater self-determination in decisions affecting their territories.
Source: https://www.jornada.com
