Manzanillo port expansion project faces environmental and cultural criticism

Activists are denouncing the expansion of the Manzanillo port toward the Cuyutlán lagoon in Colima, Mexico, labeling the project as both “ecocidal” and a form of “cultural genocide.” Eduardo Mosqueda, a member of the Salvemos Cuyutlán movement, warned that the development threatens one of the most significant wetlands on the Mexican Pacific coast.

The project is expected to impact the lagoon’s biodiversity, which is internationally recognized for its importance to migratory birds. Furthermore, the expansion threatens local livelihoods, specifically traditional fishing activities and a centuries-old salt production industry that is central to the cultural identity of the region.

Mosqueda and other advocates have met with federal officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of the Navy, to protest the lack of adequate information and community consultation. Critics argue that the technical documentation provided for environmental evaluations is too voluminous for local fishermen and salt workers to effectively review and understand the potential consequences.