Rarámuri communities denounce federal control over indigenous funds

Rarámuri indigenous communities in the Guachochi region of Chihuahua have formally denounced the federal government for undermining their autonomy regarding the management of social infrastructure funds. Traditional authorities claim that while the Fondo de Aportaciones para Infraestructura Social para Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas y Afromexicanas (FAISPIAM) is intended to support local development, federal officials are imposing conditions that strip communities of their decision-making power.

Representatives allege that personnel from the Secretaría de Bienestar are intervening in the selection of construction companies, material providers, and transport services for projects funded by these resources. The communities argue that this practice contradicts the principle of direct resource delivery. They maintain that community assemblies should have the final word on identifying needs and managing works, rather than having priorities and vendors dictated by federal agencies.

A formal complaint has been submitted to President Claudia Sheinbaum, the Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas (INPI), and the Secretaría de Bienestar, requesting respect for their traditional customs and organizational methods.