Indigenous communities gain autonomy in Mexico and Colombia

In Mexico, the State Electoral Institute (IEE) has approved a calendar for indigenous communities to elect council members using their own internal normative systems for the 2026-2027 period. The process includes an informative consultation phase from October 1 to 17, 2026, followed by community deliberation and a formal consultative stage between November and December 2026. A registry of governing bodies and internal systems will be conducted between September 2026 and January 2027 to document traditional authorities, norms, and decision-making practices.

In Colombia, steps have been taken to implement Decree 1275 of 2024, which recognizes indigenous peoples as environmental authorities within their territories. Through a new circular, the Ministry of Environment aims to integrate these communities into the National Environmental System (Sina) while respecting their autonomy and ancestral knowledge. The initiative emphasizes intercultural dialogue and requires communities to share information regarding their environmental determinants, internal regulations, and resource management instruments. This framework is designed to coordinate with existing state entities without replacing their legal competencies.