Wealth, political power and a sluggish justice system proved to be no match for the tenacity and courageous resolve of the indigenous community of Mezcala.
On Tuesday, October 4, more than 100 native inhabitants of the north shore town marched triumphantly to the mountainside site called El Pandillo to formally repossess communal property that was usurped by a prosperous Guadalajara businessman 23 years ago. National Guard troops and personnel from the District 15 Agrarian Tribunal accompanied the elated throng to ensure a safe and peaceful transfer of some 10 hectares of land to the rightful owners.
The festive crowd spread out to inspect the grounds and the abandoned vacation home built by Tapatio entrepreneur Guillermo Moreno Ibarra after he illegally invaded the property in 1999. The house left behind was partially shattered and minus many furnishings, but the deplorable conditions won’t impede Mezcala comuneros from repurposing the estate as a community university campus for the local populace.
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