Noroña Protest Tepoztlán Home
- Residents of Tepoztlán, Morelos, are protesting the purchase of a property by Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña, alleging it violates communal land rights.The acquisition, reportedly financed by a 12...
- On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, news broke that Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña, a member of the Morena party, had purchased a house in Tepoztlán, Morelos, for a reported...
- The core of the dispute lies in the nature of land ownership in Tepoztlán.
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Protests Erupt in Tepoztlán Over Senator Noroña’s Property Acquisition
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Residents of Tepoztlán, Morelos, are protesting the purchase of a property by Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña, alleging it violates communal land rights.The acquisition, reportedly financed by a 12 million peso loan, has sparked controversy over land privatization in the area.
Updated August 30, 2024, at 03:00 AM PDT
Background: The Controversy in Tepoztlán
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, news broke that Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña, a member of the Morena party, had purchased a house in Tepoztlán, Morelos, for a reported 12 million pesos (approximately $630,000 USD as of august 30, 2024). Reforma, a Mexican newspaper, first reported the acquisition and the subsequent protests.
The core of the dispute lies in the nature of land ownership in Tepoztlán. Residents assert that the land is ejidal – communal land – and cannot be sold or transferred without the collective agreement of the local assembly. They claim Noroña’s purchase circumvents this established process.
What is *Ejido* land?
Ejido land is a type of communal landholding originating in Mexico after the Mexican Revolution. It’s a system designed to provide land access to rural communities and protect them from large-scale private ownership. Britannica explains that *ejidos* are typically worked by members of the community, who have usufruct rights (the right to use and enjoy the benefits of the land) but do not hold individual titles.
The sale of *ejido* land is heavily regulated and requires the consent of the *ejidatarios* (communal landholders) through their assembly. Violations of these regulations can lead to legal challenges and community unrest.
The Protests and Allegations
protesters gathered outside Noroña’s newly acquired property, voicing their opposition to the purchase.They argue that the transaction undermines the community’s rights and sets a perilous precedent for the privatization of communal lands. Local residents have expressed concerns that this sale could open the door to further land grabs and displacement.
Noroña has not yet issued a comprehensive public statement addressing the specific concerns regarding the *ejido* status of the land. Though, reports indicate he has stated the purchase was made legally and with a loan, as reported by Reforma.