Violence Has Gotten Oaxaca Deeper into Polarization

Oaxaca is a very diverse state, with about 18 different ethnic groups and Oaxacans are known for their cultural pride and resiliency. Corruption or mordidas are an ongoing part of life since there hasn’t been a democratic election process in over 80 years and it is the poorest state in Mexico. Oaxaca needs social reform and change and last summer, many marched with the teachers as a demand to change. Today, Oaxacans are critical of APPO (the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca) or the coalition of groups seeking change, as the last eight months have been painful.

APPO Needs to Purge Itself of the Violent Elements:

Currently, APPO is having reflective meetings to make decisions on its agenda and membership. These meetings are extremely critical. While there are very positive elements to APPO such as the Indigenous rights group and NGO’s, APPO has also included very violent elements such as anarchists from the U.S., Mexico City, and Puebla and many street children and drug users who are rightfully angry, but whose actions have hurt the movement.

I did not meet a single Oaxacan who hasn’t had a violent confrontation with APPO – except for those very involved. My cousin, a single mother who lives near the television station, was told by a group of drunken “APPO leaders” to provide food and money or they would harm her and her children. The same group dictated to her when she could leave the house or not.

My aunt who owns a restaurant downtown was forced to give $22,000 pesos or her restaurant would be burned down. My uncle was stoned in his car because he had government plates (ironically he has them just so he can sell trinkets in the airport). Our housekeeper was also coerced into giving whatever money she had and a bus was burned in front of her house, scaring her and her family.

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