The Caravan of the Displaced Returns to Yosoyuxi

UPDATE - February 1:

• After being arrested outside of Copala on Sunday, today David Venegas was released without paying bail and with all charges dropped, again emphasizing the false and illegal nature of his detention.


• Today at 1pm, a delegation from the displaced was to meet with government officials in the city of Oaxaca regarding the implementation of protective measures for the displaced families ordered by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission. The government was mandated to implement these measures by January 20, yet has still failed to do so.


• The displaced have agreed that ten of them would enter Copala under government protection to meet with 10 of the occupiers to see if the displaced would be allowed to enter. This meeting was to occur on Sunday as has still not happened, with the government continually postponing. The displaced have given the government until 2pm on Thursday to facilitate their entry. If the government does nothing by then, the 10 representatives will enter without government protection.

More information at El Enemigo Común.

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The Caravan of the Displaced Returns to Yosoyuxi
January 30, 2012
[Spanish original]
Translated by Scott Campbell

As a security measure and to avoid the great risk that remaining isolated and out in the open near La Sabana (UBISORT territory), four kilometers from San Juan Copala, represented, the displaced from San Juan Copala, members of the Autonomous Municipality, and solidarity organizations returned to Yosoyuxi near nightfall.

We woke up here and the displaced and the autonomous authorities decided to establish a blockade of the highway the runs from Juxtlahuaca to Jalatlaco, at the turnoff for Yosoyuxi, while a commission of 20 compañeras and compañeros traveled to the city of Oaxaca to demand information as to the location of David Venegas Reye “Alebrije” and his immediate release. 

We again condemn the state government authorities (deputy secretaries) for their inability to facilitate the arrival of the commission of the displaced, to which they had already agreed, to the assembly that took place this Sunday in San Juan Copala, and who were only able to manage the deceitful and illegal arrest of David Venegas.

It was agreed upon that 10 representatives of the displaced would be at the assembly, but something very shady happened with the government “negotiators,” as with the arrest they prevented the meeting that would have occurred in said assembly.

The displaced have agreed to give the government’s representatives until Thursday one final chance to mediate. If, upon receiving no response, the displaced will enter San Juan Copala that morning, knowing that they are risking their lives and that this is due to the irresponsibility of the government, which has only managed to maintain checkpoints on the highway from Juxtlahuaca to Yosoyuxi, in order to keep watch, as a means of intimidation and surveillance. 

Communal Council of the Autonomous Municipality of San Juan Copala