Tzanembolom, Chiapas – In a distressing turn of events, residents of the indigenous community of Tzanembolom in Chiapas have abandoned their homes and sought refuge in the town’s only school. The move follows a violent attack by the criminal group “Los Herrera,” forcing the villagers to flee for their lives.
The incident, which took place on Wednesday afternoon and evening, saw “Los Herrera” assaulting the community with gunfire. Testimonies from residents, collected by journalist Elio Henríquez for the newspaper La Jornada, reveal the terror and urgency of the situation, prompting the community to leave their homes and seek safety in the school.
Eyewitnesses report that the armed group, comprising over 100 well-equipped members, entered Tzanembolom and took control of several homes. Despite the deployment of a 20-member Mexican Army convoy to the area, their efforts were limited to providing food to the displaced residents, as they were unable to effectively counter the heavily armed “Los Herrera.”
“The situation is very difficult. We are locked in the school. Women and children are sad and crying. We have no food left, since everything has been left in the houses,” said one resident, encapsulating the dire circumstances faced by the community.
Tzanembolom, part of the municipality of Chenalhó, lies in the mountainous region north of San Cristóbal de las Casas. The area has a history of control by criminal elements, specifically “Los Herrera,” led by José Guadalupe Herrera Abarca and Rubén Estanislao Herrera Gutiérrez. However, in recent years, a self-defense group named “El Machete” emerged to challenge their dominance.
According to the Pueblos de América website, Tzanembolom has a population of 152 inhabitants, with a demographic composition of 74 women and 78 men, all of whom are indigenous. The community faces significant socio-economic challenges: 84 percent speak an indigenous language, 25 percent are illiterate, and 63 percent do not speak Spanish. Employment opportunities are scarce, with only 28 percent of the population holding jobs. Despite having electricity, the community lacks internet access, and ownership of modern amenities like televisions and refrigerators is minimal.
The plight of Tzanembolom’s residents has resonated on social media, where many have voiced their complaints. However, they have also faced accusations from some quarters, which blame the self-defense group “El Machete” for the attacks.
The emergence of “El Machete” dates back to July 2021 in the municipality of Pantelhó. A spokesperson for the group at the time stated that they were formed in response to “injustice, to defend their lives and against drug hitmen.” By July 2023, rural groups in Chenalhó were calling on Governor Rutilio Escandón Cadenas and the Chiapas Prosecutor’s Office to dismantle “Los Herrera,” accusing them of perpetrating violence in Pantelhó.
Residents believe that “Los Herrera” are attempting to regain control of the area with support from larger criminal organizations, which supply them with weapons to attack both the local population and self-defense groups.
The situation in Tzanembolom remains precarious, with the community’s immediate needs for safety, food, and shelter taking precedence. The broader implications of this conflict highlight the ongoing struggle for power and control in the region, as well as the vulnerabilities of indigenous communities caught in the crossfire. Authorities and support organizations are urged to address the humanitarian crisis and work towards a sustainable resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of Tzanembolom’s residents.