On May 27th, seven male councilors and one female councilor of the new community government were appointed in the municipality of Sitala. In a statement, the Community Government (CG), a structure that was created three years ago, explained: “together with the representatives of the different Tzeltal communities of the Municipality of Sitala, Chiapas, we have met to ratify and reaffirm the continuity of the commitment to continue fighting for the full exercise of the right to self-determination in accordance with those indicated in the international conventions, in the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and in the Political Constitution of the Free and Sovereign State of Chiapas; where our rights as native peoples to exercise our self-determination are guaranteed in accordance with the internal regulatory system.”
It explained that the initiative arose when “for more than 75 years, the municipality of Sitala has been governed by individualism and the chiefdom of some families who have taken advantage of the people to enrich themselves.”
On the other hand, “before the entry of the application for the recognition of the right to self-determination in the Municipality before the Institute of Elections and Citizen Participation (IEPC) on November 17th, 2017”, it noted that “both the IEPC and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), for more than three years, have not complied with the work committed to the communities; these institutions have been in charge of minimizing the process under bureaucratic arguments and the COVID-19 pandemic, but not with the political parties.”
It held the State responsible for the violence that could arise before, during and after the elections of June 6th, 2021. However, the community government ratified that “given the historical situations and the socio-political context; with the support of the communities, we are convinced to continue walking in the search for alternatives that solve the problems of the Municipality at their roots. With community organization, observed in the validity and existence of five regions and a care center, a work plan that contributes to the reconstruction of the social fabric and community harmony. Servants that help and serve the non-profit communities, without conditions and without bad faith.”
For more information in Spanish:
27-05-2021 Comunicado GC Sitalá, (Gobierno comunitario de Sitalá, 27 de mayo de 2021)
For more information from SIPAZ:
Chiapas: Presentan a los nuevos encargados del Concejo de Gobierno Comunitario de Chilón (24/05/2021)
Chiapas: MORENA Mayoral Candidate Murdered in Ambush in Chilon (March 19, 2021)
Chiapas: Gobierno Comunitario de Chilón exige justicia para 59 familias desplazadas. (June 9, 2020)
Chiapas: Gobierno comunitario de Chilón denuncia el desplazamiento forzado de dos comunidades y el hostigamiento y extorsión a tres otras por parte de un mismo grupo civil armado. (December 19, 2019)
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