Indigenous Fight for Water in Cholula Valley

Centuries of abundant water in Mexico's Cholula valley have been irrevocably altered by human intervention and climate change since the 1990s. Rivers and springs that once sustained agriculture have dried up, impacting the region's fertile landscape and cultural identity. Toponyms in the region, such as Cholula, reflect this historical abundance.

Rapid population growth, with San Andrés Cholula's population increasing from under 38,000 in 1990 to over 154,000 in 2020, has significantly increased water demand. This demographic expansion also fuels urban development projects that displace residents and weaken social ties.

A burgeoning movement, led by Indigenous communities, is actively resisting the depletion of natural resources. Building on a history of resistance, these communities organize protests and advocate for water defense, aiming to protect their ancestral lands and water sources.

Activists have taken direct action, including shutting down a Danone bottling plant in 2021 and a privately owned landfill in 2024, citing aquifer depletion and groundwater contamination. While Danone disputes claims about aquifer overexploitation, these actions have galvanized water defenders across the region.

The struggle for water is ongoing, with activists maintaining a constant watch and implementing restorative measures at closed sites. While definitive victories are hard to foresee, the continuous defense of water is seen as a fight for the preservation of life itself.