Don Alfonso Pérez Íñiguez, also a leader in the struggle, recalled that in 2005, rumours circulated about the possible construction of dikes to prevent flooding. However, that same year, the dikes protecting New Orleans collapsed under the force of Hurricane Katrina, sparking fear among the residents of Temacapulín.

At that time, there was no clear information or response from the government.

“We found out through the media that they were going to build a dam here and that we would be flooded. So, we organized ourselves,” said Agredano Sánchez.

The uncertainty about their future, the possibility of losing their homes, and the deep-rooted ties that connected them to the town led to serious psychological issues among the inhabitants.

“A [psychological] assessment was conducted throughout the town. Now we have psychological support. There is a group of psychologists who are constantly coming to support us,” said Agredano Sánchez. “It has been very important because we all really need it; we were all traumatized, and all in bad shape."

Under the dam project, in some towns residents were convinced to leave their homes in exchange for a low economic compensation, and many houses were demolished. This caused divisions within the population, she added.

Agredano Sánchez recalled one of the most critical moments of the struggle during a peaceful takeover of the dam in 2011. They remained there for a week, and three arrest warrants were issued, including one against her. They were afraid they were going to get killed.

“I was the only woman with an arrest warrant. Of course, we were afraid and everything, but we did not stop the fight,” she said.

As a result of this collective action, the Ministry of the Interior came to the town to negotiate over the dam project, so negotiations were initiated. However, for Agredano Sánchez, it was very painful to see how government institutions did not take them seriously.

For Pérez Íñiguez, faith in God and themselves and learning from other resistance movements in Mexico against dams and mega-development projects were key elements in their struggle.

“IMDEC opened the doors for us because it connected us with both national and international struggles. It took us to the Yaqui people in Sonora, as well as to the struggles in Oaxaca and Chiapas,” said Pérez Íñiguez.

Pérez Íñiguez said that Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, who is now the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe water and sanitation, also gave them great encouragement.

“And we succeeded”, he added.

Support for the struggle and collective victory

UN Human Rights in Mexico has supported the case of the communities affected by the construction of the El Zapotillo dam. For example, it collaborated with the official visit of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food in 2011, which included the affected communities.

“The Office has participated in multiple meetings between the communities and the authorities, as well as in monitoring missions, to promote the application of international standards on the rights to housing, food, water, and comprehensive reparation, among others,” said Jesús Peña Palacios, Deputy Representative of UN Human Rights in Mexico.

Among the lessons learned, Peña Palacios emphasized the importance of creating and strengthening networks and alliances among communities, civil society organizations, the state Human Rights Institution, authorities invested in a favourable resolution of the case, UN Special Procedures, and UN Human Rights itself, as well as the high level of political dialogue achieved by the communities.

After years of struggle and negotiations, during the previous administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a Justice Plan was successfully designed between the authorities and the communities.

“Currently, the communities are following up on the Justice Plan agreed upon with the authorities, and they are concerned about the budget reduction for its implementation, which includes agri-food and health programs. For this reason, they are requesting a meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum,” said Peña Palacios.

UN Human Rights will continue to support the communities in strategic meetings, as well as in future negotiations and implementation of the Justice Plan.

“Our hope is that everything that needs to be rebuilt is restored, and above all, that we remain united, and that division comes to an end,” said Agredano Sánchez.