Mayo-Yoreme leaders protest ammonia plant project in Sinaloa

Representatives of the Mayo-Yoreme people and the ¡Aquí No! collective traveled to Mexico City to demand that President Claudia Sheinbaum halt the construction of an ammonia plant in Ohuira Bay, Sinaloa. The project, proposed by Gas y Petroquímica de Occidente (GPO), is designed to produce 2,200 metric tons of ammonia per day.

Protesters demonstrated at the National Palace and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat). Indigenous leader Felipe de Jesús Montaño Valenzuela stated that the bay holds spiritual significance for the Mayo-Yoreme people, serving as a site for traditional ceremonies and processions.

Local residents and activists expressed concerns regarding the potential impact on biodiversity, marine species, and public health. Fishermen and tourism providers warned that the plant could threaten the local ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on the capture of species such as shrimp, crab, and various fish. The group noted that their opposition to the project has spanned 13 years.