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Catholics March in Chiapas Demanding Alcohol Ban Amidst Social Unrest
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Catholics March in Chiapas Demanding Alcohol Ban Amidst Social Unrest

From El Universal · (12m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Catholics in Chalchihuitán, Chiapas, marched to demand a ban on alcohol sales, citing social unrest and risks to residents.
  • They also called for a crackdown on drug sales, which they say damage families and communities, leading to hunger, violence, depression, illness, and death.
  • The parish requested the implementation of dry laws, the establishment of rehabilitation centers, and recreational spaces for children to foster better community development.

In the heart of Chiapas, the indigenous Tzotzil community of Chalchihuitán is raising its voice against the pervasive scourge of alcohol and drug abuse that threatens to unravel the social fabric. This is not merely a matter of public order; it is a spiritual and existential crisis for a people proud of their roots and their faith.

we have had an increase in suicides and conflicts that are reflected in the abandonment of children, orphanhood and greater obligations for women who are left with the upbringing, in addition to difficult-to-resolve debts.

— parishThe parish issued a statement detailing the negative social impacts of alcohol and drug abuse.

The recent march by over 150 Catholics, led by Father Francisco Lara Díaz, underscores the depth of this despair. Their demand for a "ley seca" or dry law is a desperate plea for peace and safety in a town where the uncontrolled sale of alcohol, much of it clandestine, has fueled a rise in violence, family abandonment, and even suicides. The sight of people "lying in the streets" on weekends is a stark testament to the severity of the problem.

as a people proud of our Tzotzil roots and believers in the God of life, peace, and justice, it is painful that the community is going through a crisis that involves minors in the purchase of alcohol, school dropout due to lack of resources, and the promotion of migration.

— parishThe parish expressed the community's pain over the current crisis.

From our perspective here in Chalchihuitán, this is a fight for survival. The community's spiritual leaders are not just asking for law enforcement; they are calling for a holistic approach. This includes rehabilitation centers for those struggling with addiction and safe recreational spaces for children, recognizing that true development requires addressing the root causes of social ills and fostering a healthier environment for all.

the request to the government authorities and the local town council is the implementation of the dry law, the creation of a rehabilitation center for alcoholics and drug addicts, and recreational spaces for children, as part of new forms of coexistence and integral development.

— Father Francisco Lara DíazThe parish priest outlined the community's demands to authorities.

While international news might focus on broader issues, for Chalchihuitán, the immediate battle against alcoholism and drug trafficking is paramount. It directly impacts the daily lives, the well-being of families, and the future of the Tzotzil people. The call to the government is clear: acknowledge the richness of our indigenous heritage by tackling these urgent, life-threatening problems head-on.

the images are worrying, especially on weekends, you see many people lying in the streets.

— Father Francisco Lara DíazThe priest described the concerning scenes observed in the town.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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