Community, Solidarity, and Resistance: Reflections on Indigenous Movements in Mexico (Michoacán) | Lorena Ojeda Dávila

The struggle of the Purépecha communities, ignited by the 2011 Cherán uprising in response to the Mexican state's failure to ensure their security, marks a turning point in the fight for Indigenous self-government and self-defense. This movement is not just about one town’s resistance—it represents a broader push for the full recognition of constitutional rights for Indigenous groups across Mexico. However, this battle is anything but straightforward.

To understand this movement, we must first delve into the turbulent history of the region—one defined by land disputes, deforestation, and resource exploitation, all of which have worsened in the 21st century due to the growing influence of organized crime. At the same time, the unchecked expansion of avocado farming has intensified the fierce competition for increasingly scarce water resources, especially in the Lake Pátzcuaro basin.

What makes this struggle remarkable is the way these communities have transformed ethnic solidarity into a powerful social movement. They have leveraged innovative legal strategies to challenge both state and national governments and the unofficial powers operating in the region. Through archival research, media analysis, and firsthand interviews, this talk explores the key features of their resistance: its victories, contradictions, and ongoing challenges.

A lecture by Professor Lorena Ojeda Dávila, Spring 2025 Visiting Professor, Fulbright-García Robles Fellowship.