Indigenous groups in the storied Huasteca region of northeastern Mexico say they will do what it takes to prevent hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” from coming to their region.
The Nahua and Teenek of San Luis Potosi state have unified against the threat posed by the deregulation of fracking in 2013.
Hydraulic fracturing uses the high-pressure injection of wastewater into the earth to fracture rock layers, allowing easier access to fossil fuels — mostly natural gas, but also petroleum.
The Huasteca region is no stranger to fossil-fuel extraction, with the first oil wells drilled over century ago.
But the region’s well-organized indigenous groups say the practice threatens local ecosystems and water sources, and have demanded that the state government discontinue any early-stage fracking projects.
Numerous municipalities have already issued decrees banning the practice, and protestors hope that their rights to consultation and self-determination will be respected.
But some have been quoted as saying that they’ll fight fracking even if it means risking their lives.
Source: El Pais