The Movement in Defence of Water, Land and Life from San José Chiapa rejects the Circular Economy Development Pole for Wellbeing and challenges Governor Alejandro Armenta to a public debate. Jorge Álvarez Máynez, national leader of MC, joined the protest.
The Movement in Defence of Water, Land and Life from San José Chiapa has issued a direct challenge to the Governor of Puebla, Alejandro Armenta. Activists are demanding a public, open debate without intermediaries regarding the Circular Economy Development Pole for Wellbeing (PODECIBI), a project they consider a threat to their municipality.
Strong Rejection of PODECIBI
The residents of San José Chiapa have made it clear that they will not accept their municipality becoming the dumping ground for the state's waste. "San José Chiapa will not be the sacrifice zone of the state," they warned in a statement. The citizens' front claims that the circular economy project, promoted by the state government, would cause irreversible damage to the health and natural resources of the area.
The protest, which has remained peaceful, gained momentum on July 5 with a march through the streets of the municipality. Organisers assert that the rejection is widespread and that they will not yield to what they consider an imposition.
Álvarez Máynez Joins the Protest
The national leader of Movimiento Ciudadano, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, joined the protest and reported the project to the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa). Máynez described PODECIBI as an "announced ecocide" and demanded that Governor Armenta listen to the community before proceeding with the plan.
"We cannot allow a model that sacrifices the most vulnerable communities in the name of false sustainability to be imposed," declared the politician. Máynez's presence has brought national visibility to the conflict, which had so far remained local.
Allegations of Simulated Union Support
Activists also reported that the state government has used union organisations to simulate mass support for the project. According to the front, these maneuvers aim to hinder the legitimate protests of the residents and create a false image of consensus.
"The governor intends to show that there is support when the reality is that the majority of people are against it," the organisers pointed out. The community demands that their right to decide about their territory be respected and that a binding citizen consultation be held.
The conflict in San José Chiapa highlights the tensions between economic development and environmental protection in the region. While the state government defends PODECIBI as an opportunity to generate jobs and manage waste sustainably, residents fear that the benefits will be for a few and the costs for all.
For now, the ball is in Governor Armenta's court. The citizens' front awaits a response to their challenge for a public debate. Meanwhile, the mobilization continues and the complaint to Profepa is ongoing. The community of San José Chiapa is not willing to back down: their slogan is clear, "not a step back."
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