Building Autonomy
Cherán: The town that expelled police, politicians and cartels
The drug war launched in 2006 by the Mexican Federal Government and the global economic crisis of 2008 led to an increase and diversification of criminal activities in the state of Michoacán. One of the rising activities in the state was the illegal exploitation of timber resources, extortion, and kidnapping, which directly affected the indigenous community of Cherán. On April, 2011, the community members of Cherán organized themselves to reclaim their territory: first by expelling organized crime gangs, and secondly by declaring an autonomous government. They decided to return to their traditional forms of political, social, and governmental organization. The local electoral authority initially rejected their request, arguing that traditional rights (customs and consuetudinary rights) were not recognized in the local legislation. This decision was challenged before the Federal Electoral Tribunal, which, on 2012, issued Cherán the right to self-determination – an unprecedented event in the history of post-colonial Mexico.
About Cherán
The municipality of Cherán is located in a region known as the Meseta Purépecha, in the state of Michoacán. The municipality has a territorial extension of 221.88 square kilometers. It has a population of 18,141 inhabitants, divided into three urban centers: Cherán, Tanaco and Casimiro Leco (Sedesol, 2013). Cherán is the largest indigenous community in terms of territory in Michoacán. The community also acts as the administrative center for the region, making it the only indigenous community that dominates a municipal jurisdiction in Michoacán (Aragón, 2013). In addition to the social attributes already mentioned, an important element to consider is the great forest wealth that the municipality has. It is locates in a mountainous area covered in pine forest (Pinus sp). Forest resources and their derivatives have been and continue to this day to be the basic pillar of the livelihoods of the people of Cherán.
The Movement
Development
How did Cherán and its autonomous movement develop?
Impact
How has its success in achieving self-governance affected the community after 2011?
Lessons
What can Cherán’s experience teach us about indigenous movement building?
Highlights
How avocado expansion and timber extraction contributed to Cheran's search for self-determination.
Read what community members are saying about the struggle