Yaqui Protesters End Highway And Rail Blockades In Southern Sonora

By Kendal Blust
Published: Sunday, August 23, 2020 - 11:01pm

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Yaqui negotiations
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Members of Yaqui communities in southern Sonora met with local, state and federal officials last week to reach an agreement endings a weeks-long blockade of a federal highway and train tracks.

Protesters from Yaqui communities in southern Sonora lifted blockades this weekend after reaching an agreement with state and federal authorities Friday.

After more than two weeks of nonstop blockades on the highway and train tracks, and after cutting off water supply to much of the coastal municipality Guaymas last week, members of Yaqui Indigenous communities ended their protests Saturday.

They reached an agreement with Mexican authorities, who promised water, electricity, schools, health clinics and housing for Yaqui towns after four days of negotiations.

Members of Yaqui communities have demanded the cancellation of a new water project in Hermosillo, as well as compensation for infrastructure built on their land.

The protests gained attention for stalling thousands of train cars full of manufacturing, mining and beer exports bound for the United States.

Fronteras Sonora