Topolobampo ammonia plant construction protests

Protests against the construction of an ammonia and fertilizer plant in Topolobampo, Sinaloa, have intensified. Local fishers and Mayo-Yoreme indigenous communities have maintained a peaceful sit-in for nearly 100 days, while groups such as Greenpeace México and the ¡Aquí No! collective have deployed large-scale demonstrations to protect the ecological and cultural integrity of Bahía de Ohuira.

In response to the tension, the project entered a phase of technical dialogue involving specialized tables to review environmental studies and water management. Following these developments, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced that federal agencies, including Semarnat and Conagua, are conducting assemblies to address community concerns and validate environmental impact studies.

Opposition remains high, with activists citing extreme safety risks. Felipe de Jesús Montaño Valenzuela, a traditional governor of Ohuira, warned that an ammonia leak could have catastrophic consequences, potentially affecting a 45-kilometer radius and causing significant casualties across multiple municipalities. Critics further contend that the government’s indigenous consultation process has not met the required standards for being free, prior, and informed.

Recent demonstrations have expanded to Mexico City, where representatives of the Mayo-Yoreme people and the ¡Aquí No! collective protested at the National Palace and Semarnat. Activists also scaled the flagstaff in the Zócalo to demand protection for maritime and fishing sectors. Protesters highlighted that the project, proposed by Gas y Petroquímica de Occidente (GPO) to produce 2,200 metric tons of ammonia daily, threatens a bay of spiritual significance for traditional ceremonies. Local residents and fishermen warned that the plant jeopardizes biodiversity and the livelihoods dependent on species such as shrimp and crab, noting that opposition to the project has spanned 13 years.