Agricultural Workers Protest Alleged Irregularities in Ejidal Election

Members of the National Union of Agricultural Workers (UNTA) gathered outside the General Agrarian Archive and the Agrarian Prosecutor's Office in Mexico City to protest alleged irregularities in the election for the ejidal house of Santa María Chimalhuacán, State of Mexico. The protest centers on the election's outcome, which declared the green slate, led by Carmen Constantino, as the winner.

Agustín Rivera, speaking for UNTA, explained that police allegedly prevented members of the blue and red slates from entering the assembly where the election was held in early July. This action, he claims, ensured a favorable outcome for Constantino's slate. Rivera further accused the municipal president of Chimalhuacán, Xóchitl Flores Jiménez, of improperly interfering in agrarian matters, stating that public officials should not meddle in ejido affairs.

The UNTA submitted a document to the Agrarian Prosecutor's Office in early July, urging them to order the National Agrarian Registry (RAN) to disregard the assembly and invalidate the green slate's victory. Despite presenting evidence, Rivera stated, the victory was still granted. "That is why we are here, so that an assembly is held where everyone participates and whoever should win, wins. We do not demand that we be given the victory; rather, we demand that what should be done, be done," Rivera declared.

Following the protest, the agrarian prosecutor received a commission of 10 people, led by UNTA's national leader, Álvaro López Ríos. The Procuraduría Agraria is tasked with providing legal advice, defending agrarian rights, reconciling interests, and regularizing rural property. The protesters displayed banners with slogans such as "Government, listen, we are on the fight!" and "If there is no justice for the people, there will be no peace for the government."