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Highway Protest in Hidalgo Turns Violent; Residents Burn Patrol Car
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Highway Protest in Hidalgo Turns Violent; Residents Burn Patrol Car

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Residents of El Jagüey, Hidalgo, Mexico, protested a planned 96-kilometer highway project.
  • Protesters, using horses and tractors, blocked a state road and set a police patrol car on fire.
  • They claim the highway will divide the community, damage homes and farmlands, and that authorities have ignored their concerns.

A protest against a highway construction project in El Jagüey, Hidalgo, Mexico, turned violent as residents set a police patrol car ablaze. The demonstration involved a significant mobilization of locals using horses, tractors, and vehicles to block the Huichapan-Tula state highway.

Residents are vehemently opposing the proposed 96-kilometer autopista, arguing it will split their community in two and negatively impact homes and agricultural land. Their placards declared, "no to the highway," emphasizing that they already contend with solar panels, railways, gas pipelines, and high-voltage towers, and do not want the highway.

no to the highway

— ProtestersChants and slogans used during the demonstration.

The protesters accused municipal authorities of failing to address their demands and called their inaction irresponsible. They stated that they have not been adequately informed about the project's scope or its potential consequences for the locality. Concerns were raised about the risks the highway could pose to the community if it divides the area.

Furthermore, residents warned that their properties, including homes and farmlands, could be affected by the construction. They assert that authorities have not taken these potential damages into account. The situation highlights a deep conflict between development plans and community concerns over land use and environmental impact.

but we don't want a highway anymore.

— ProtestersExpressing their opposition to the new infrastructure project, citing existing infrastructure.
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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