Cherán: Power of Consensus and Community Policies

Cherán: Context and Historical Background

• Cherán is an indigenous community located in Michoacán, Mexico, facing challenges like fanaticism, ignorance, and economic mismanagement.
• Historical documents indicate a persistent anarchy and division within the community, exacerbated by conflicts over resources and political control.
• In 1976, a memorandum highlighted violent clashes within the community, resulting in six deaths and military intervention.
• P’urhépecha communities frequently experience land and boundary disputes. Virginia Friedric's quote: "As one cynic put it, 'There are as many border disputes as there are pairs of villages.'"
• Today, 57 issues spanning 22,576 hectares still plague the P’urhépecha region.

Factors Leading to the Movement in Cherán

• Despite historical instability, Cherán initiated a successful movement in 2011, rooted in ethnic solidarity and communal consensus.
• Key questions addressed include:
  • How did solidarity emerge in a historically divided community?
  • What community structures supported collective strategies?
  • How did legal successes empower their movement?

Relevant Historical Context

• Cherán’s official title dates back to October 29, 1533. The municipality has a complex demographic, with 18,141 inhabitants in the 2010 census, 23.75% of whom speak an indigenous language.
• Major economic activities revolve around agriculture, timber, and trade. A significant portion of the population has migrated to the United States, sending remittances back home to engage with community affairs.

Internal and External Conflicts

• Historical conflicts in Cherán have involved:
  • Internal factionalism and political rivalries.
  • Disputes with neighboring communities and local government authorities.
  • Exploitation of natural resources leading to social unrest.
• Caciques (local leaders) historically monopolized power, leading to manipulation and exploitation, which triggered community opposition.

Rise of Community Solidarity and Strategies

• Cherán's community has leveraged historical experiences to foster community organization, enhance ethnic solidarity, and establish successful agreements with external agents.
• The 2011 uprising was catalyzed by escalating violence from organized crime involving illegal logging, emphasizing the need for communal defense against external threats.

2011 Uprising and Community Response

• The uprising began on April 15, 2011 when community women detained illegal loggers on their land, marking a pivotal event that galvanized communal action.
• The resistance led to:
  • Creation of barricades around the community for protection.
  • Establishment of a community council to replace local government, emphasizing autonomy and self-determination.
• Women played a crucial role, showing the significance of their participation in community organizing and decision-making processes.

Strategies for Resistance and Governance

• The movement resulted in the revival of traditional practices and establishment of communal ‘fogatas’, which became platforms for discussion, consensus-building, and community decision-making.
• Formation of alliances with local and external entities, including agricultural organizations and human rights activists.
• An emphasis on legal strategies, led by activist lawyers, who enabled their case to advance up to the Supreme Court of Justice, enhancing Cherán's legal standing.

Achievements and Future Challenges

• Cherán stands as the first Mexican municipality governed by traditional communal practices recognized legally akin to other municipalities.
• Ongoing challenges include:
  • Ensuring inclusive governance that involves all community sectors.
  • Addressing communal conflicts with adjacent territories and securing resources equitably.
  • Maintaining the autonomy gained through recent social and political advancements, while safeguarding against the re-emergence of internal factions or caciques.