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By: The opinion Posted Jul 13, 2023, 15:31 pm EDT
Several indigenous communities in the Mexican state of Chiapas continue to be governed by uses and customs, some have adapted to modernity and have found a way to benefit from it. They have made deals with soft drink and alcoholic beverage companies so that by letting them sell their products they receive a benefit, but there is a specific town that has imposed severe restrictions. The site La Silla Rota made a report about this place.
It is about Monterrey, although it shares its name with the capital of Nuevo León, they have nothing to do with that place, they are opposite both in geographical location and in the customs of its inhabitants. This town is located in the municipality of San Fernando, Chiapas. The sale of alcohol is not allowed there, so the companies dedicated to this item do not even stop there.
Another measure in Monterrey is that, after 10:00 p.m., the entrance to the town remains closed with a gate so, after that time, nobody goes in or out. They implemented a kind of curfew to avoid incidents of violence.
Pablo Díaz Díaz, representative of the ejidal commissioner of the place, warns that the little more than 200 families that inhabit the town have made some relevant agreements; however, he comments that at no time do they condition the companies.
He explained that if they decided to reject the commercialization of beer, wine or liquor, it was because their consumption generates many problems and would lead to others, such as drug use. If someone disobeys the rule, they are fined or, in the worst case, they are exiled..
Of course, some residents have disobeyed the order, although they have not gone to the extreme of banishing them, they have simply been called to their attention. He also indicated that several people do want alcohol to be sold in the town, because they want companies to support them in their patron saint festivities or other celebrations.
Because there are no agreements with companies, the resources are minimal, but the inhabitants have sought help from the federal government, such as the Sembrando Vida program. However, the town has many needs, it even lacks drainage, but the most necessary thing is drinking water, since the spring that they had and that supplied the families practically dried up.
“We struggle with the little wells, they no longer give, only in rainy season, but right now, with the drought, we all suffer,” said one of the residents.
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