A Call for Dialogue in Bolaños; None of the Parties Accept

It is a disgrace that the indigenous community of Bolaños is compelled to provide its own account—detailing the *what, how, when, and why*—regarding the reasons behind their struggle. We insist: the ones who should have possessed a comprehensive understanding of the case—who should have resolved it with Solomonic wisdom and informed the *mestizo* population of Bolaños about the situation—were the deputies, and no one else. As for the IEPCJ, we won't even speak of them; they have always acted strictly according to party directives.

Now, facing pressure from the *mestizo* population of Bolaños—coupled with Governor Pablo Lemus’s stance against the proposed change in the form of government—the case must be addressed by all parliamentary factions. The Commission that originally heard the case—led by MORENA member Miguel de la Rosa—was simply overwhelmed by its own insensitivity and its profound ignorance regarding the daily life and customs of a bicultural community like Bolaños.

Presented below is the statement issued by the Wixárika indigenous community concerning the events of recent days—specifically the blockade—as well as their fears and the conditions they require to engage in the dialogue convened by the municipal government. We invite you to draw your own conclusions:
 

"STATEMENT from the Wixárika community of TUXPAN, explaining why conditions did not permit our attendance at the municipal seat of Bolaños, Jalisco, on this 31st of March, 2026."
 In response to the public invitation extended to us by Mr. Trino Sandoval González—Municipal President of the Honorable City Council of Bolaños—to participate in a roundtable dialogue focused on peace and mutual respect, to be held at the City Council facilities this Tuesday, March 31, 2026, we hereby state the following:

Municipal President Trino Sandoval, we acknowledge your valuable efforts to ensure that all citizens may coexist in peace and mutual respect; our Wixárika community stands behind you and offers its full support. However, given the current circumstances, we are unable to attend as long as there is no guarantee of free transit on the highways, nor safe passage for indigenous people through the municipal seat.

How, then, could we possibly reach the City Council facilities if the roads remain blocked? First and foremost, there must be freedom of movement. Given the events that have occurred recently—acts not perpetrated by our Wixárika people—what guarantees do we have that our vehicle tires will not be slashed, that our means of transport will not be set on fire, that our belongings will not be destroyed, or that we might not even be detained?

Our Wixárika community remains open to dialogue, provided that guarantees of safety are in place and that no violence occurs. Therefore, we would readily propose holding a dialogue outside the municipality—specifically at the offices of the General Secretariat of Government of the State of Jalisco or the State Human Rights Commission. Alternatively, should the entire Mestizo community accept an invitation to visit us here in our community, they would witness firsthand the difference in how they are treated: with respect and an openness to dialogue.

To the Wixárika citizens of our community: we wish to thank you for not succumbing to provocations. While some individuals may have offered personal responses, these do not represent the official message or stance of our community; for this process does not belong to a single person, but to an entire people. Any formal proposal or statement will always be issued collectively, through our designated authorities or commissioners.

To all our sister indigenous peoples across the country, and to all Wixárika communities throughout Jalisco, Durango, and Nayarit: thank you for your messages of support. We know that we do not stand alone. A very special word of gratitude goes to those Mestizo residents of the municipal seat who have reached out to us, fostering a respectful dialogue and promoting harmonious coexistence.

We reiterate the same message that our community shared in the municipal seat on March 18, 2026, at the municipal auditorium:

The decree "never" states that Mestizo residents are required to adopt all the traditional customs and practices of the Wixárika people. This change in the municipal governance regime is strictly "political" in nature; its purpose is to elect the Mayor and Council Members through "customs and traditions" rather than through political parties. Furthermore, within this "intercultural democracy," the *mestizo* (mixed-heritage) population will continue to exercise their right to vote freely and by secret ballot; they will remain eligible to serve as Council Members and Mayors. This system allows for the possibility of alternating leadership in the mayoral office, and all political and electoral rights are fully guaranteed. These principles will serve as the basis for establishing the corresponding guidelines.

The decree regarding the change in governance regime in Bolaños, Jalisco, explicitly clarifies that this transition does not entail the suspension or restriction of fundamental rights for any individual residing in the municipality. The same rights are guaranteed to everyone, regardless of whether or not they belong to the indigenous community. All other spheres—social, economic, religious, cultural, etc.—remain unchanged.

The relevant decree issued by the Congress of Jalisco is provided here; as noted, it addresses solely political matters:
https://infolej.congresojal.gob.mx/doc.../estados/162419.pdf

On March 28 and 29, our Wixárika community of TUXPAN KURUXI MANUWE received a visit from representatives of the communities of BANCOS DE SAN HIPÓLITO (Mezquital, Durango) and SANTA CATARINA CUEXCOMATITLÁN, Mezquitic, Jalisco, and San Sebastián Teponahuaxtlán, and among the points discussed, there was reflection regarding recent events concerning the process of CHANGING THE POLITICAL GOVERNANCE REGIME IN BOLAÑOS.

We wish to inform you that the authorities have urgently tasked the Commission on Self-Determination and Autonomy with reviving the long-cherished dream of our Wixárika people—a vision previously articulated in our assemblies—so that, within a few days, a technical, social, legal, and political report regarding the scope of this initiative may be presented for due assessment; work on this is already underway. Let us remain calm.

Commission on Self-Determination and Autonomy of Tuxpan and San Sebastián Teponahuaxtlán, Mezquitic and Bolaños, Jalisco.