Presentation & Conversation: Tehuantepec Isthmus Under the Storm - Extractivism and violence in South Mexico

When: Thursday 17th of August, 2023, 14:00-16:00

Where: Live at Helsinki University. Unioninkatu 37, room 1066 (tiedekuntasali).  

Mario Quintero, delegate from , is visiting Finland with the help of Debt for Climate, Museum of Impossible Forms and Maan Ystävät. EXALT has the honor to have him present and hold a conversation on extractivism and its resistance in Mexico. This conversation aims to build alliance among activists and researchers. The presentation will be in Spanish with interpretation into English language. 

14:00-14:10 Introduction David Muñoz-Alcántara

14:10-15:00 Presentation  Mario Quintero (APIIDTT)

15:00-15:30 Responses and comments Anja Nygren, Sergio Fernandez Bravo, Thomas Wallgren

15:30-16:00 Q&A and Conversation

The Tehuantepec Isthmus is the territory of Zapotec, Ikoot, Zoque, Mixe, Chontal, Zinatec, Mazatec, Mixtec, and Tsotsil Peoples in Southeast of Mexico. Situated in the Veracruz and Oaxaca states, the area is witnessing the imposition of a number of destructive megaprojects initiated by the Mexican government, such as the Inter-Oceanic Corridor, Maya Train, and Integral Morelos Project. A macro-economic territorial restructuring in the South and Southeast of Mexico, that threatens its ecosystem irreversibly. Publicly referred to as 'Government Development Programs' pursuing Special Economic Zone concessions and further the inhumane border politics of the United States, the Inter-Oceanic Corridor will turn Tehuantepec Isthmus into a zone of sacrifice. These megaprojects aim to harness  the communal lands of indigenous peoples and local farmers for resource extraction and the economic benefit of multinational corporations of the Global North.