The Municipality of Las Margaritas, Chiapas held an event in the community of Guadalupe Tepeyac to honor Engineer Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Solórzano as a “Promoter of Peace and Democracy in Mexico.” Mayor Bladimir Hernández Álvarez presented the recognition on behalf of the local government.
The event included a thorough account of the progress made in indigenous affairs, while also highlighting the many challenges that indigenous communities in Mexico still endure.
Cárdenas outlined the unresolved points from the agenda once negotiated between the federal government and the Zapatistas (EZLN), including:
- Democracy and justice
- Welfare
- Women’s rights
- The signing of the final Protocol for Peace with Justice and Dignity
He called for the ideals and commitments of those who fell during the Zapatista movement to remain alive and paid heartfelt tribute to those who remain engaged in the cause.
Cárdenas referenced the commitments made in the San Andrés Larráinzar Accords, signed on February 16, 1996, and COCOPA’s legislative proposal drafted based on those agreements, which was ultimately rejected by the government in 1997.
While recognizing the progress made through recent reforms, especially in establishing indigenous people as subjects of public law, he also emphasized that more action is urgently needed.
During his intervention, Mayor Hernández affirmed that “peace is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of justice,” and renowned his commitment to building an inclusive country.
“Today, hope breathes through Las Margaritas. We are walking toward a future where communities manage their own resources, where words lead to transformation, and where we move forward together, with freedom and dignity,” he said.
In his final remarks, the mayor thanked Cárdenas “for walking beside indigenous people throughout his life, and for his enduring example and courage.” A special tribute was also paid to the original Commission for Concord and Peace (COCOPA).
This powerful gathering will undoubtedly inspire new initiatives in support of Mexico’s indigenous communities.
