Due to a massive power outage affecting hundreds of Zapotec families for nearly a week, residents of the communities of Monte Águila, San Antonio Tutla, and Ejido Madero, Oaxaca, blocked Federal Highway 185 (the Trans-Isthmus Highway) along the Sayula de Alemán–Matías Romero stretch.
The protest cut off the northern zone of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec from the state of Veracruz.
The demonstration is a response to a massive blackout that has affected hundreds of families for five days.
Residents state that the inaction of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is disrupting their daily activities.
“The lack of electricity impacts the community’s daily activities: food preservation, water supply via pumping systems, schoolwork, commercial activities, and household chores, among others,” the affected residents agreed.
The State Highway Police reported that the blockade began around 7:00 a.m. at kilometer 168 of Highway 185 (Trans-Isthmus Highway), at a location known as Las Malvinas, just before the town of Palomares.
Community representatives noted that all avenues for institutional dialogue had been exhausted after the state-owned company ignored dozens of formal requests.
As the hours passed, other communities joined the protest; notably, San Juan Mazatlán decided to actively participate in the blockade of the Trans-Isthmus Highway.
“An indefinite blockade will be the only way to force CFE executives to carry out the necessary repairs,” they warned.
Source: excelsior
