MEGAPROJECTS AND THE MILITARIZATION OF MEXICO

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TWO RELATED INITIATIVES

The Merida Initiative (Plan Mexico) - U.S. Government funding Mexican militarization under the guise of the “War on Drugs” and “protecting our border”

The Mesoamerica Project (Plan Puebla Panamá) - a regional “development” plan to build the infrastructure for implementing “free trade” agreements (NAFTA and CAFTA)

Map of Mexico and the Maya World (outlined in red)

2001, SAN SALVADOR ATENCO; 1st resistance to a PPP Megaproject: a new airport for Mexico City

REVENGE ON SAN SALVADOR ATENCO: Police Terrorism on May 3 and 4, 2006

People’s Front in Defense of Land (FPDT) Mobilizes: Demands Release of

12 Political Prisoners

GUERRERO: La Parota Dam; a megaproject to supply electricity to hotels in Acapulco

TOURIST MAP OF CHIAPAS

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Eastern Chiapas (outlined in yellow)

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WHAT’S BEHIND “DEVELOPMENT”?

Tourism (including “eco-tourism”, “adventure tourism”, “archeological tourism”, and “cultural tourism” - not Zapa-tourism)

Mining (gold and other minerals)

Monocrop agriculture for conversion to biofuels (African palm plantations, pinion trees)

Oil

Water (fresh, sweet water for bottling and hydroelectric power)

Precious woods

Bioprospecting (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics)

MEGAPROJECTS: Puente Chiapas (Chiapas Bridge)

over the Malpaso Dam

MEGAPROJECTS: Puerto Chiapas (Port Chiapas)

MEGAPROJECTS: Puerto Chiapas (Port Chiapas)

MEGAPROJECTS: Puente San Cristóbal

MEGAPROJECTS: New Chiapas Airport

MEGAPROJECTS: Chiapas Dams

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TWO CURRENT PROJECTS

San Cristóbal to Palenque superhighway

Ruta Maya (Maya Route) ecotourism project

San Cristóbal de las Casas, a Colonial Tourist City

San Cristóbal Tourism

TierrAdentro, a Zapatista Space in San Cris

TierrAdentro, a Zapa-Space in San Cris.

The Palace at Palenque, a Ceremonial Center of the Ancient Maya

Agua Azul Cascades: attacking the Zapatistas to make way for a “World Class Resort Destination”

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Agua Clara, a Swimming Spot Next to Agua Azul

Misol Ha Waterfall

Mitzitón and Flores Magón Communities Announce Protest of New Palenque

Highway

Murder of Aurelio Hernández, July 2009.Mitzitón Protests and Blocks Road

Across the Highway from Mitzitón

Mitzitón and Flores Magón Communities Announce Protest of Palenque Highway

TOURISM MEGAPROJECTS

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MILITARIZATION NEAR PLANNED MEGAPROJECTS

CHIAPAS: Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve; evicting the Maya to make way for the “Ruta

Maya”

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Deep in the Cañadas (Canyons) East of Ocosingo,

one part of the Lacandón Jungle

Upper Jataté River Flows Through the Cañadas

Bonampak Ruins Yaxchilán Ruins

Maya Ruins of Yaxchilán

Getting to the Yaxchilán Ruins – Crossing The Usumacinta River