Afro-Mexican Community Builds River Defenses Amidst Government Neglect

PINOTEPA NACIONAL: In the face of persistent government neglect, the Afro-Mexican community of Collantes in Oaxaca is taking matters into their own hands, organizing community work to reinforce the banks of the La Arena River. This vital effort aims to protect approximately 5,000 people across four communities from the annual threat of flooding.

“

For two years, it has been said that there is a project for the bordering of our river in the Collantes area, but to date there is nothing and we are already tired of promises.

For two years, residents have heard promises of a river-bordering project, but with no action taken, they have grown "tired of promises." The river has overflowed annually since Hurricane Pauline in 1997, with authorities offering only unfulfilled pledges. In 2024, Hurricane John caused severe flooding, and the previous year, Hurricane Erick devastated their lemon and mango orchards.

"We don't know what can happen this year, and we want to prepare as much as possible because neither the municipal nor the state government is doing their job," residents stated. They are undertaking the work themselves, emphasizing that it is the government's responsibility.

“

We don't know what can happen this year, and we want to prepare as much as possible because neither the municipal nor the state government is doing their job, and we decided to do it ourselves, although we insist that they are the ones who should be doing it.

The community also fears the return of the Mexican crocodile, a predatory carnivore, during future floods. "We fear for our lives when all this could be avoided if the governments did their job," they insisted. The necessary work involves reinforcing about eight kilometers of the riverbank, starting from the Collantes bridge towards the sea.

“

We fear for our lives, when all this can be avoided if the governments did their job.