UNTA leader accuses Mexican government of dismantling peasant organizations

Álvaro López Ríos, the general secretary of the Unión Nacional de Trabajadores Agrícolas (UNTA), has accused the Mexican government's 'Fourth Transformation' (4T) administration of dismantling organized peasant movements. He claims that under the pretext of combating corruption, the government implemented drastic budget cuts to the Ministry of Agriculture and eliminated productive programs.

López Ríos stated that these policies have left small producers vulnerable to rural violence, displacement, and a lack of competitiveness. He noted that historical organizations such as the Confederación Nacional Campesina (CNC) and the Central Campesina Independiente (CCI) have been dismantled or are facing extinction due to these structural changes.

Furthermore, the UNTA leader criticized the current administration's stance on food sovereignty, asserting that Mexico has lost significant autonomy in this area. He reported that approximately 72% of the food consumed in the country is now imported because domestic production has failed to meet demand.