MÉRIDA, Mexico – A woman over 70 years old, known as Doña Josefina, has spent nearly 48 hours protesting in front of the Yucatán State Government Palace, calling Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena a “coward” and a “liar” due to what she describes as a lack of justice and government neglect.

Despite the harsh weather conditions, including intense sun and rain, Doña Josefina has remained seated in front of the government seat, demanding answers to social injustices. Her protest has drawn significant attention, leading to a situation where the government even had to install a roof over the Governor’s area to shield him from the public gaze while she remains exposed to the elements.

Doña Josefina maintains that her protest speaks not only for herself but for those who are too afraid to speak out against social injustice and what she perceives as poor governance. She claims she decided to stand before the seat of power because she has reached a breaking point where remaining silent is no longer an option.

The woman’s grievances are specific and personal. She has leveled direct accusations against both the Governor and the head of JAPAY (the state’s water service agency). According to her, JAPAY personnel entered her private property without authorization to remove her water meter and break her grid, replacing it with a new meter without her consent.

“The JAPAY man is a liar, the Governor is a liar. The JAPAY man entered to rob me; he took my meter, broke my grid, and gave me another one without asking permission. I have endured the sun, I have endured the rain. This house is mine because I bought it. He hasn’t given me anything. The Governor is a liar, he hasn’t even given me a tortilla—he is a coward, he only hides,” the woman stated visibly upset during her demonstration.

The protest has begun to evolve into a broader movement of public dissent. A “complaint clothesline” has been set up next to her where other citizens have begun hanging notices detailing various social injustices. While the protest started as an individual plea for justice, it is increasingly becoming a platform for the community to voice grievances that, according to the protester, the authorities have failed to address.