Mexico: Reports of federal authorities engaging in actions against organizers and participants of 2001-2002 protests opposed to the building of a proposed international airport in Texcoco, Mexico state, north of Mexico City; whether family members of the organizers and participants have been mistreated by federal authorities (2002-February 2005)
News sources reported in 2003 and 2004 on various protest incidents that involved members and supporters of a group of farmers that had blocked the proposed construction of an international airport in Texcoco, Mexico state in July 2002 (ACAN-EFE 9 Mar. 2003; Reforma 6 July 2003; La Jornada 1 Dec. 2003; Es Mas 22 Jan. 2004). Please consult MEX40734.E of 2 April 2003 for background information about the 2002 cancellation of the planned airport.
Known by the name of the People's Front in Defence of the Land (Frente de Pueblos en Defensa de la Tierra, FPDT), the militant farmers and their supporters, based in the town of San Salvador Atenco, Mexico state, disrupted the mayoral election in their municipality in March 2003 (ACAN-EFE 9 Mar. 2003; Miami Herald 10 Mar. 2003) and midterm congressional elections in June 2003 (Notimex 6 July 2003; Reforma 6 July 2003). There were no reports of assaults during the March 2003 incident; however, polling stations were taken apart and ballots destroyed (Miami Herald 10 Mar. 2003; ACAN-EFE 9 Mar. 2003). In the June 2003 episode, FPDT supporters reportedly confronted other Atenco residents "who were defending the opening of polling stations in that location" (Reforma 6 July 2003). After reviewing the situation, the federal electoral authorities decided not to open the polling stations in Atenco (ibid.).
While the basis of the June 2003 protest was not clear (ibid.), the March 2003 demonstration was reportedly aimed at pressuring Mexico state authorities to withdraw "outstanding arrest warrants" against 14 militant farmers who were involved in the July 2002 airport protests (ACAN-EFE 9 Mar. 2003; Miami Herald 10 Mar. 2003).
In August 2003, Reforma reported that FPDT leader, Ignacio del Valle, was among "60 anti-globalization protesters" to be checked by police and military authorities before the September 2003 WTO Summit in Cancun (18 Aug. 2003).
After mayoral elections were held in October 2003 with "no major reports of violence or disruptions," (AP 12 Oct. 2003) in December 2003, FPDT supporters attempted to block the inauguration of the new mayor of San Salvador Atenco (ibid. 1 Dec. 2003; La Jornada 1 Dec. 2003). News sources reported that FPDT members clashed with supporters of the new mayor, resulting in injuries to between 10 (La Jornada 1 Dec. 2003) and 20 (AP 1 Dec. 2003) persons.
In January 2004, FPDT leader, Ignacio del Valle, announced his group's support for the farmers (campesinos) of Tlalnepantla, Morelos state, who were attempting to set up an autonomous municipality in that town (Es Mas 19 Jan. 2004). When San Salvador Atenco farmers tried to visit Tlalnepantla, Morelos state on 18 January 2004 with a group of human rights observers on a humanitarian mission, police reportedly attacked several Atenco supporters and tear-gassed the entire crowd (IMC 20 Jan. 2004). Atenco supporters and other groups marking their solidarity with Tlalnepantla residents were subsequently "turned away and barred from visiting" (EFE 21 Jan. 2004).
The FPDT subsequently staged a protest march in Mexico City on 22 January 2004 that saw 1400 demonstrators face off against 400 federal preventive police officers (Policia Federal Preventiva, PFP) in front of the Secretariat of the Interior (Secretaria de Gobernacion, SEGOB) (ibid. 22 Jan. 2004). The Mexico City-based news Website Es Mas noted that no incidents of violence were reported (ibid.).
In July 2004, FPDT members "armed with machetes" held a demonstration in front of the Toluca government headquarters in Mexico state to protest against alleged renewed support for the failed international airport plan in Texcoco (El Universal 16 July 2004). FPDT leader, Ignacio del Valle reaffirmed the group's position on this issue stating that members were ready to protect their lands as they had done in 2002 (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
ACAN-EFE [Panama City]. 9 March 2003. "Mexican State Elections for Mayors, Deputies Begin With Incidents." (FBIS-LAT-2003-0309 11 Mar. 2003/WNC)
Associated Press (AP). 1 December 2003. "Mexican Town Wracked By Rebellion Sees New Violence." (Dialog)
____. 12 October 2003. Gloria Perez. "Makeup Elections Peaceful in Former Rebel-Held Town Outside Mexico City." (Dialog)
EFE [Madrid]. 21 January 2004. Alberto Cabezas. "White Flags Appeal For Peace in Mexican Town Racked by Rivalry." (Dialog)
Es Mas [Mexico City]. 22 January 2004. Luis Perez. "Se manifiestan 'atencos' en Segob." <http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/mexico/339035.html> [Accessed 3 Mar. 2005]
____. 19 January 2004. Juan Carlos Gonzalez. "Anuncian ejidatarios movilizaciones." <http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/mexico/338233.html> [Accessed 3 Mar. 2005]
Independent Media Center (IMC) [San Francisco]. 20 January 2004. "Morales, MX - Detailed Update." <http://www.indybay.org/print.php?id=1668316> [Accessed 3 Mar. 2005]
La Jornada [Mexico City]. 1 December 2003. "Violent Clashes in Atenco as New PRI Mayor Takes Oath." (FBIS-LAT-2003-1201 2 Dec. 2003/WNC)
Miami Herald. 10 March 2003. Susana Hayward. "Violence Mars Mexican State's Election." (LEXIS)
Notimex [Mexico City, in Spanish]. 6 July 2003. "FYI - Polls for Mexican Mid-Term Elections Close 'Without Major Incident'." (FBIS-LAT-2003-0707 8 July 2003/WNC)
Reforma [Mexico City]. 18 August 2003. "Mexican Police, Military Prepare for WTO Summit in Cancun." (FBIS-LAT-2003-0818 20 Aug. 2003/WNC)
____. 6 July 2003. "Mexico: 'At Least' 21 Polling Booths Not Opened Due to Electoral Conflict." (FBIS-LAT-2003-0706 7 July 2003/WNC)
El Universal [Mexico City]. 16 July 2004. "Farmers Demonstrate in Toluca Against Possible Air Terminal." (FBIS-LAT-2004-0717 19 July 2004/WNC)
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites: Amnesty International, Country Reports 2003, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, World News Connection/Dialog.