NEWS CENTER – In less than two weeks, the caravan “el sur resiste” begins in southern Mexico. On the one hand, this is opposed to the mega-project “tren maya”, which is intended to “open up” large parts of the jungle of the Yucatan peninsula and the adjacent Chiapas to “tourism” and is already causing gigantic destruction through large aisles, not to mention the masses of tourists, which are expected upon completion. In addition, unique ecosystems in subterranean freshwater caves are being destroyed by the construction of the railway, which is co-financed by Deutsche Bahn. The predominantly indigenous communities on site were not properly surveyed and are resisting the project.
On the other hand, the mega project “istmo de tehuanetepec” is directly connected to this first one, which is intended to “economically develop” the connection between the Pacific coast of Oaxaca and the Atlantic coast. Here, too, there is massive ecological damage, but military ambitions in the entire region should not be underestimated. It is not without reason that the military is involved in both projects, allowing for greater control and containment of independent movements such as that of the Zapatista in Chiapas and more effective conducting of mafia-style deals in which the military and police are often involved. And all this without having to take the local population into account.
At the start of the caravan, an action day is planned on April 25th, on which actions related to the local struggles in the Global South should take place in as many places as possible.
The call to the caravan of February states:
“It’s time we listened to each other and took direct responsibility for the looting we are witnessing in our territories. That 1 percent of the world’s population whose choices and lifestyles have created the current climate crisis – a climate crisis that is forcing us as Pueblos to be displaced, transforming our lands and confronting us with exploitation, extractivism and war. Because we know there is fighting not only here in Mexico but in many places around the world where compañeras, compañeros and compañeroas* of the Global South are using their bodies to defend their territories against the [industrial] corridors, railroads and death projects of global corporate capitalism. And we know in corners called global north there are people who resist and who also form part of the Global South. We call on you to unite your voices in this struggle. We are that 99 percent who withstand the blows of those who destroy us and seek to dominate us.”
and
“There are only two months left until the beginning of the »South Resist 2023!« caravan, which will pass through the south-southeast of Mexico, the affected areas of the interconnected mega-project »Tren Maya – Interoceanic Corridor«. It will give expression to the pueblos, communities, settlements, towns, neighborhoods, indigenous, peasant, feminist, union, popular and civil society organizations fighting and resisting the various forms of robbery and dispossession by the state and global, patriarchal Capital.”
More background articles are here:
Spanish-language page of the caravan:
Campaign page for Deutsche Bahn’s participation in the “Tren Maya” mega-project:
on the day of action on April 25th Netz der Rebellion:
https://netz-der-rebellion.org/
Third Call for International Meeting: The South Resists 2023!
https://www.ya-basta-netz.org/third-call-to-the-international-meeting-of-the-south-resistance-2023/
(15.03.) International Tribunal for the Rights of Nature appraises the “tren maya” mega-project in Mexico
Source: Indimedia.org
