Companies, megaprojects and power against indigenous rights: Zapotec from Oaxaca and Guarijío from Sonora, Mexico cases

Abstract

 Based on two case studies and ethnographic research, the authoresses address the social, cultural, and environmental impacts produced by corporate megaprojects on indigenous peoples in Mexico. Both cases refer to the people´s struggle for defending their resources and territory. The first, a Zapotec community, in Oaxaca, against the restoration of mining activities and the other, in Sonora, against the construction of a dam. Although each case has particularities, we can observe generalities in the ways of proceeding of the actors, who, according to their level of power, will deploy strategies to achieve their interests. It is necessary to specify that the proposal of a megaproject establishes power relations between the actors involved, however, it will be in unequal and disadvantageous conditions for the indigenous peoples. Throughout the process, different types of violence and violations of collective rights are present, in which the State and companies have responsibilities.

Even in a pandemic context, companies continue to carry out activities, at the same time, different responses from indigenous peoples are present: development of consultations, mobilizations, public complaints, legal actions, among others.