September 19, 2002

The full version of this report can be read here.

The Montes Azules Integral Biosphere Reserve (RIMBA-Spanish acronym) is emerging as the testing ground for the conflicting interests of corporate ownership and profits on one hand and human rights protection, biodiversity conservation and struggles for autonomy on the other.

Conflict surrounding the Biosphere has been reported in the press throughout 2002, however, the issue has been confused by successful misinformation campaigns by the Mexican government, the mainstream press and "environmental" groups such as Conservation International. Conservation International, for example, purports that the struggle for human rights and local indigenous autonomy conflict with the struggle to preserve the remaining tracts of biologically diverse regions in Latin America.

The Mexican government, prompted by corporate and military interests, is looking to relocate (forcibly or otherwise) approximately 28 communities located within the RIMBA. Under the pretext of environmental conservation, military presence in the RIMBA has increased heavily, and the Mexican Army has been assigned the new role of environmental supervision. Not coincidently, roughly half of the communities located within the RIMBA are Zapatista-affiliated communities. The relocation effort would serve two purposes: it would attack the heart of Zapatista communities, and grease the wheels for the absolute exploitation of Montes Azules' prolific natural resources.

It is important to note that just days after the Mexican Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Indigenous Rights and Culture Bill (opposed by every major indigenous organization in Mexico,) both Conservation International-Mexico and Mexico's Attorney General for Environmental Affairs (PROFEPA) renewed calls for the immediate removal of "guerrilla" communities from Montes Azules. Global Exchange fears that the recent outbreak of violence and subsequent militarization mark the final push to remove, at any cost, indigenous communities from Montes Azules.

A complete timeline of the San Andres Accords and the Indigenous Rights Law can be seen here.

What can you do?

Call the Mexican Embassy/Consulate to voice your concerns (find the closest to you at Embassy/Consulate and Mexico Desk of the US State Department (202-647-9894).

Fill out the form below, make changes to the text as you wish, and hit 'send fax'. Your fax will be sent to President Fox in Mexico.