Indigenous Voices in the Face of Megaprojects: A Call to Action
Last Saturday, in a scene that could make a great backdrop for a really intense episode of “Antiques Roadshow,” representatives of the National Indigenous Congress of Mexico (CNI) and their companions made their voices heard in front of the Iberdrola Tower in Bilbao. Why? To denounce the ever-thrumming, profit-hungry machinery of megaprojects trampling over the sacred territories of indigenous peoples and peasants. If only these corporate giants showed as much tenderness as they do their bottom line! But alas, Mother Earth is apparently less cuddly and more exploitable to them.
Joining forces with Lumaltik Herriak and Txiapas Ekin, our brave representatives shed light on the “enormous impacts” these projects have on the very fabric of life—social, cultural, and ecological. It’s like receiving a ticket to a horror movie you didn’t sign up for! They specifically highlighted projects like the Morelos Comprehensive Project, notorious not only for its destructive impact but also for the murder of activist Samir Flores Soberanes. Elecnor—a company practically giving Monopoly a run for its money—profits while sitting comfortably with six headquarters in Bizkaia and a few more scattered like trophies elsewhere.
Let’s not forget the Mayan Train, an ambitious tourist trap—oops, I mean megaproject—being pushed by former president López Obrador like a Netflix original that no one asked for. It’s destined to rumble through the stunning regions of Chiapas, Campeche, Tabasco, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, probably leaving a trail of unclaimed luggage and broken dreams in its wake.
And speaking of cinematic tragedies, how about the wind corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec? With companies like Gamesa, Ingeteam, and Iberdrola cashing in by the hundreds, they’ve installed a staggering 1,600 wind turbines on land that rightfully belongs to the Ikoots and Binnizá peoples. Remind me again—is this primetime TV or a crime scene drama?
As if that wasn’t enough, they fervently called out BBVA, a Basque corporation raking in millions while inflicting “very serious and irremediable impacts” on nature and the social structures of local communities. Since the inception of wind projects in their native Oaxaca, femicides in the region have skyrocketed to alarming rates. 30 femicides per year in a modest population of just over 100,000! That’s about as inviting as a flat tire in the middle of nowhere.
With their European tour kicking off on September 15, these steadfast defenders are on a mission to demand solidarity and visibility amid escalating violence toward Mexican indigenous communities. They are making it crystal clear: no more corporate greed drenching their lives in the blood of their cultures. “Let them leave these lands where the fight is for life and for a world where many worlds fit,” resounded their message—strong enough that even corporate boardrooms in their ivory towers might need to consider a little earplug action.
As a call to action, it’s about time we all recognized the stakes at play. We are not merely spectators in a world filled with flashing lights and corporate advertisements. This is a reality check—an urgent reminder that behind every megaproject lies a story, often dark and tragic, waiting to be told. So let’s face it, if the price of convenience is the erasure of these cultures, it’s not just Mother Earth being trampled; it’s humanity. And we wouldn’t want to be the generation that let it happen, would we?
Last Saturday, three advocates from the National Indigenous Congress of Mexico (CNI), accompanied by a representative from the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Human Rights Center (FRAYBA), convened in front of the striking Iberdrola Tower in Bilbao. Their gathering aimed to vocally oppose the aggressive implementation of extractivist megaprojects executed by major multinationals, which are systematically encroaching upon the ancestral lands of indigenous peoples and rural farmers.
Together with local activist groups Lumaltik Herriak and Txiapas Ekin, the representatives emphasized the “enormous impacts” of these megaprojects on Mother Earth, the very fabric of society, cultural heritage, and indigenous traditions that have endured for generations. Specifically, the activists called attention to the Morelos Comprehensive Project, which has been implicated in the violent murder of environmental activist Samir Flores Soberanes. This megaproject continues to generate profits for the Elecnor company, which has established six locations in Bizkaia, along with additional offices in Gasteiz and Iruña. They also spotlighted the Mayan Train, a controversial tourist megaproject championed by former Mexican President López Obrador, slated for construction across several states: Chiapas, Campeche, Tabasco, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. Furthermore, they criticized the wind corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, where companies such as Gamesa, Ingeteam, and Iberdrola have amassed wealth through the installation of approximately 1,600 wind turbines on territories illegally occupied by the Ikoots and Binnizá communities.
In their fervent denunciation, the activists also targeted BBVA, a Basque financial corporation profiting immensely at the expense of the environment and the well-being of marginalized communities residing on these contested lands. They drew attention to the alarming rise in femicides in the Istmo de Tehuantepec region, where the initiation of wind projects has contributed to an alarming statistic of 30 femicides per year, affecting a population of just over 100,000 residents. The representatives articulated the social repercussions of these megaprojects, explaining how they disrupt local economies, displace agricultural practices, and subsequently lead to an increase in issues such as alcoholism, crime, and violence against women, including murders and femicides.
The four delegates from CNI and FRAYBA have embarked on a crucial European tour that commenced on September 15, aimed at garnering support and raising awareness regarding the escalating violence faced by indigenous communities in Mexico. Seizing the opportunity presented by their presence in Bilbao, they made a passionate appeal to multinationals, urging them to cease profiting from the “blood” of indigenous peoples both in Mexico and globally. They called for an end to dispossession, forced displacement, threats, and intimidation against those courageously defending their lands and cultural autonomy. “Let them leave these lands where the fight is for life and for a world where many worlds fit,” they affirmed in solidarity.
**Interview with Maria Lopez, Advocate from the National Indigenous Congress of Mexico (CNI)**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Maria. Your recent demonstration in Bilbao has garnered significant attention. Can you tell us what motivated the National Indigenous Congress of Mexico to take such a bold stand against megaprojects?
**Maria Lopez**: Thank you for having me. Our motivation stems from the urgent need to protect our ancestral lands and the communities that depend on them. These megaprojects, like the Trans-Isthmus Corridor and the Mayan Train, threaten not only our environment but also our cultures and ways of life. We are here to make sure our voices are heard and that we stand in solidarity against corporate greed.
**Editor**: You mentioned the destructive impact of these projects. Could you elaborate on how they are affecting local indigenous communities?
**Maria Lopez**: Certainly. One of the most alarming aspects is how these projects disrupt social structures and the environment. For instance, the wind corridor in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec has led to the installation of 1,600 wind turbines on land that belongs to the Ikoots and Binnizá peoples. This is not just about losing land; it’s about losing our identity, our traditions, and even our safety. After the initiation of these projects, we’ve seen a shocking increase in violence, including femicides, in our communities.
**Editor**: It sounds incredibly challenging. You also referenced the Mayan Train and the Morelos Comprehensive Project. What specifically are your concerns regarding these projects?
**Maria Lopez**: With the Mayan Train, we see it as a tourist trap that will devastate pristine ecosystems and displace countless families without their consent. The Morelos Comprehensive Project has a tragic history, being linked to the murder of environmental activist Samir Flores Soberanes. These projects generate enormous profits for companies like Elecnor, while local communities suffer the consequences. It’s a stark reality—profit comes at the cost of our lives and our land.
**Editor**: As you continue your campaign for justice and awareness, what do you hope to achieve in the short term?
**Maria Lopez**: Our immediate goal is to bring visibility to these issues and to demand accountability from the corporations and governments involved. We want them to recognize that our land isn’t a commodity; it’s a sacred space that supports life. We also seek solidarity from people around the world, urging them to join us in standing against these injustices. Together, we can create pressure that may lead to real change.
**Editor**: Thank you, Maria, for shining a light on these critical issues. Before we wrap up, is there a message you would like to share with our readers?
**Maria Lopez**: Yes, I’d like to remind everyone that we all have a stake in this fight. These megaprojects are not just about us; they reflect a broader struggle against exploitation and disregard for human rights. We must unite to protect our planet and its cultures. As we say, “Let them leave these lands where the fight is for life and for a world where many worlds fit.” Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for your support.
