The Guadalajara Reporter notes, “A ‘media montage’ was how opponents of the (105-metre tall) Zapotillo Dam (to be completed by late 2012) described their recent talks with state and federal authorities that ended (on June 1) with the expected announcement that the 175-million-dollar project would proceed as planned. Three communities, including the historic town of Temacapulín in north-eastern Jalisco (as well as Acasico and Palmarejo), will be flooded to make way for the new curtain dam… Around 3,000 residents will be displaced by the dam, which was one-quarter complete before the talks started in March.”
“Opponents of the dam claimed that authorities brought locals who support the dam to the talks in order to create a confrontation and generate negative press. They said Conagua officials never had the remotest interest in listening to their point of view. Gabriel Espinoza, a representative of the Let’s Save Temacapulin Committee, said the struggle to stop the dam would continue. ‘We’re united, they haven’t weakened us. We are more alive than ever and we will continue to defend our territory with dignity and strength. This entire project has been an imposition.'”
Mexico City-based Blue Planet Project organizer Claudia Campero Arena will be travelling to Temacapulín on June 16-17 to further support community opposition against this dam. To read her ‘UPDATE: Temaca keeps fighting’ blog, please go to http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=7991. Her earlier ‘UPDATE: Solidarity with Temaca – Community occupies dam site, calls for cancellation of project’ blog is at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=7265.
To read about Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow’s opposition to major dam projects, please go to http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=7837.
