On Tuesday afternoon, members of various transport workers’ unions attacked residents of the municipality of Santo Domingo Tepuxtepec in the Sierra Mixe region of Oaxaca. These residents were blocking construction work on the Oaxaca-Isthmus highway being carried out by the Carso Group.
The attack is alleged to have been sanctioned by Donato Vargas, the coordinator of Peace Delegates and a close collaborator of the Secretary of Government, Jesús Romero.
Since Tuesday morning, the residents had maintained the blockade due to Grupo Carso’s failure to fulfill promises related to the construction project. Human rights defender Joaquín Galván reported that the protesters noticed Donato Vargas was present with union leaders and transport workers in the area, and these individuals later assaulted the demonstrators.
A video shared on social media captures the moment when Santo Domingo Tepuxtepec residents questioned the official about why he was associating with union members who were also carrying firearms. His response angered the protesters, as he justified his presence by claiming he greets everyone without exception.
Police officers, accompanied by transport workers, also arrived at the blockade location and subsequently attacked the Tepuxtepec residents. This aggression appears to have been approved by the government of Salomón Jara Cruz.
Source: La Jornada
