From the Mesa de Huanacaxtle community in Nayarit, President Claudia Sheinbaum signed the decree recognizing and confirming the restitution of 5,956 hectares of communal lands to the community of San Sebastián Teponahuaxtlán and its Tuxpan annex.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has signed a historic decree recognizing and confirming the restitution of 5,956 hectares of communal lands to the Wixárika people. This decision is part of broader efforts to uphold Indigenous rights and address historical injustices.
The decree was officially signed on December 11, 2024, as part of a constitutional reform to strengthen Indigenous autonomy. The reform, which had been approved in September 2024 during Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, formally recognizes 68 Indigenous groups in Mexico as subjects of public law, granting them legal personality and ownership rights over their ancestral lands.
Sheinbaum’s administration has also established the Presidential Commission for Justice Plans and Regional Development for Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples, which will oversee the implementation of policies designed to protect Indigenous communities and their territories. The commission aims to repair historical wrongs and ensure Indigenous groups have greater autonomy in managing their lands and resources.
The restitution of Wixárika lands is a significant step toward land justice, as these territories hold deep cultural and spiritual importance for the community. The Wixárika people, known for their rich traditions and connection to nature, have long fought to recognize their ancestral lands.
This decree marks a turning point in Mexico’s approach to Indigenous rights, reinforcing the country’s commitment to multicultural recognition and territorial restitution. The implementation of these policies will be closely monitored to ensure that Indigenous communities receive the protections and resources they need to thrive.
Source: Excelsior
