Residents of Villa Seca, a community within the municipality of Otzolotepec, have taken their grievances to the streets, blocking the Lerma-Valle de Bravo highway due to dire water shortages. Beginning on the morning of the protest, around 200 residents have demanded immediate action from local and state authorities, contending with the fact they have been without potable water for nearly two months.
The crisis stems from the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) cutting off power to the community's well, asserting the action was due to outstanding debts of approximately two million pesos. This abrupt interruption of electricity has rendered the well unusable, leaving nearly 900 families struggling for water.
“We haven’t had water for about two months. We’ve requested action to restore the electricity, but no one has listened, and we remain without water,” said one of the residents during the protest.
Another protester, Marileth Ávila, highlighted the plight of her community, stating, “We are protesting for the lack of water and because two months ago they cut off our power. We all need water to live; we are asking for the power to be connected.”
According to the residents, their efforts to negotiate with CFE for reconnection have been fruitless. Despite reaching out to federal authorities, the definitive stance of CFE remains unchanged: no power will be restored until the full debt is settled, which the community believes to be excessive.
“We want to pay; it’s fair. We are not asking for anything else, but it’s not right for them to cut it off just like this because we had reached an agreement to sign a payment plan,” expressed Ricardo González, another resident involved in the blockade.
The situation is severe, affecting not only households but also educational institutions within the region. Although schools are currently on holiday, should the blockage persist, it threatens to disrupt the educational experience for local students when they return. The message from the protesters is clear: they demand resolution before any reopening of highways.
Representatives from the state government and CFE have attempted to mediate the situation but have not succeeded. These officials arrived at the blockade site hoping to negotiate with the residents to reopen the route. The protesters have rejected these discussions, insisting on reinstatement of power at the well as their precondition for any dialogue.
One participant remarked, “We have approached authorities, but they don’t pay attention to us. This is why we are here. We will not leave until we are heard.” The resolve of the community is strong, underscoring the urgency of their needs amid the continued disruption to their lives.
The blockade has garnered significant public attention, with local authorities admitting to monitoring the situation closely. The inability to access potable water—an absolute necessity—has led to widespread frustrations and fears for the future.
Hundreds of motorists have felt the ramifications of the blockade, as traffic extended over seven kilometers along the highway, halting transportation routes to Valle de Bravo. The C5 security system has confirmed the blockage’s impact, and reports suggest the detainment of vehicle transit on the busy road was compelled by the protesters’ demands.
Without immediate intervention from higher authorities to address the pressing water supply issues, residents of Villa Seca have vowed to continue their blockade. They seek not just the reconnection of electric service to their well but also acknowledgment of their plight and urgent resolutions from those who hold the power.
Residents remain steadfast, holding signs and chanting their demands, reflecting the deep community spirit and determination to secure their most basic rights—access to water. The situation exemplifies the frustrations many communities experience throughout Mexico, where governmental action may be delayed, leaving citizens feeling powerless. Villa Seca's plight is now becoming emblematic of the urgent necessities faced across similar regions as shared resources dwindle.
