Oaxaca Residents Protest CFE Over Constant Blackouts Amidst Intense Heat

Residents in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, are enduring a severe crisis due to relentless power outages orchestrated by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Communities in Juchitán and Unión Hidalgo have taken to the streets, expressing their deep frustration with the constant blackouts that are devastating their livelihoods and daily lives.

The situation is particularly dire as the region grapples with extreme heat, with temperatures soaring up to 42 degrees Celsius. These outages are not merely inconveniences; they are causing significant economic losses. Small business owners, like a woman selling dinners, report that essential ingredients spoil, leading to lost income. More critically, vulnerable individuals are suffering the loss of vital medications, such as insulin, which require refrigeration.

The people are demanding accountability from the CFE, questioning why the utility company fails to implement necessary maintenance and upgrades to its infrastructure, especially in anticipation of peak demand during hot seasons. The lack of foresight and preparedness by the CFE is seen as a direct disregard for the well-being of the citizens it serves. This ongoing crisis highlights a critical infrastructure failure that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations in Oaxaca.