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Is TypeWhizz Real Or Another Online Scam? Let’s InvestigateIn the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora, Mario Luna Romero faces constant threats to his life for fighting to protect his community’s rights to its water in the region.
A few months before his arrest, Luna had led a ferocious campaign against the construction of the Independencia Aqueduct that would drastically decrease the Yaqui River’s waters from reaching his tribe’s land, known as the Yaqui Territory. The 172-kilometer was approved by the Mexican government to satisfy the water needs of Hermosillo, the state’s capital and largest city.
For Luna, prison was a test of his ideological and physical resistance. “We Yaquis are prepared to sacrifice ourselves for our territory, but this time I faced the real test,” he said. While locked away, the government continued the construction of the aqueduct — a battle that is still being fought today, especially as Mexico experiences a serious water shortage.
For the Yaquis, the river represents much more than production and profits. It is not just a resource needed during such a time of drought; it is sacred. “It has always been a connection with the spiritual,” Luna told Mongabay. “Water, due to its ability to evaporate, could then be a conduit to communicate with the gods or with your loved ones who died.”century, the river was navigable for most of the year.
“We began to investigate, and we realized that would be a user much more superior to us, with rights much more superior to us, both to the Yaquis and to the settlers down here,” Luna said. “Why? Because they would be closer to the water source. The water reaches them first.” For hours, as we drove across the rugged landscape, Luna pointed out areas where the river previously flowed abundantly. In Vícam Pueblo, we stopped on a bridge that once crossed over a large body of water that was historically considered sacred to the tribe. They would gather around to celebrate the festival of San Juan Bautista and a special ceremony would take place using water from the river.
Later, while driving toward Potam Pueblo, one of the eight Yaqui villages, Luna explained that many of the roads in the territory used to be lined with alamo . The species is important for the Yaquis, as the wood is used to build traditional structures in their villages. One of his first jobs was harvesting alamo trees on this exact road, but now there are none left.
A traditional Yaqui ceremonial hut in Vícam which is made from alamo — a tree threatened by the lack of water in the region — mesquite away from Luna’s home. According to reports, she had just dropped off her two children at school and was on her way to the store when unidentified armed men shot her. When asked about what happened; Luna said he did not know but that he believed narcotraffickers, a common feature of the region in Sonora, were most likely responsible.
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