Lomas de Poleo

We drove into Lomas de Poleo under darkening skies. The ominous clouds hanging low over the hills seemed symbolic of the struggle mounting against the residents of the tiny agricultural settlement on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez. Despite a wealthy landowner’s hostile takeover of their land, the community remains resolved to stand firm. The colony sits atop a hill overlooking Sunland Park, New Mexico, making it prime real estate for developers who would blanket the land with maquilas and rent factory space to corporations interested in the cheap labor and close proximity to the United States. The land just north of the colony has already been excavated. Plans include opening a new border crossing to facilitate product exportation, indicating complicity at the national and international levels.

Zaragoza, one of the most powerful men in Juarez, began by erecting fences with barbed wire encircling the entire community. Guards man the gate, the only entrance and exit to the community. The electricity was one of the first things to go—Zaragoza’s men entered the community, rolled up all the wire and removed the power. Next they started demolishing homes, striking while families were away at work or late at night when no one was awake. The community fears for their two schoolhouses, which sit empty now during the summer break, and has formed groups of citizens to guard the buildings during the night when they are most likely to be destroyed. Residents re-built their chapel after it was torn down, and CPTers Carol Rose and Kim Lamberty visited the new building during a previous trip to the community two years ago. However building materials are no longer allowed into the colony, so saving existing buildings has become a high priority.

The residents have a legal claim to the land under Mexico’s agricultural laws, which state that settlers who live on agricultural land for 5 years or more gain legal title as long as no disputes arise. The community settled the land over 30 years ago, and has been farming there ever since. Zaragoza holds no claim to the land. Nonetheless, his stranglehold over the colony tightens.

The residents of Lomas de Poleo brought a court case against Zaragoza, which still languishes in court, three long years after being filed. Meanwhile, more houses come down and four residents have been killed as a result. One man attempted to defend his house from destruction and Zaragoza’s men shot and killed him. Two children also died in a house fire, set to destroy their home. Yet the community instinctively knows that their response must be non-violent. Ignacio*, a 25 year resident of Lomas de Poleo, shared with us his staunch commitment to continue this struggle non-violently. He told us that he has had many opportunities to respond with violence but didn’t because this will only give their aggressors license to retaliate even more harshly.

The dark clouds portend trials and suffering to come, but Lomas de Poleo hunkers down, prepared for the worst. As Ignacio reminded us, the residents have truth and the law on their side. And what does Zaragoza have? Only money.


* name changed