Deja que los grillos se coman a las ardillas

In the Low Mountain region of Guerrero, the Nahua indigenous communities of Alcozacán and Tula live under constant siege by organized crime. The armed group known as Los Ardillos, linked to drug trafficking, has unleashed relentless violence upon these towns. Armed attacks on civilians, including women, children, teachers, and doctors, have become a daily threat.

The testimonies from locals and organizations highlight the climate of terror that has disrupted everyday life. Schools that once welcomed children from the region are now empty, as many students have abandoned their classrooms due to the danger of armed clashes. Murders, kidnappings, and shootings have further isolated these communities, plunging them into a state of ongoing insecurity.

Faced with the state's inaction, the communities have had no choice but to organize themselves. Groups such as the Coordinadora Regional de Autoridades Comunitarias (CRAC-PC-PF), in alliance with the Consejo Indígena y Popular de Guerrero – Emiliano Zapata (CIPOG-EZ), patrol their territories and defend their land against Los Ardillos’ offensives. These community organizations have turned to their own systems of self-governance to protect themselves, embodying a form of resistance in response to the government’s lack of presence.

Despite constant reports and local complaints, the situation remains largely ignored by national media and authorities. Law enforcement, when present, often withdraws without intervening, leaving the communities at the mercy of armed groups.

This photographic project aims to shed light on the dire situation in Alcozacán and Tula, capturing the daily struggle of their inhabitants to protect their lives, culture, and memory. Amidst violence and uncertainty, the Nahua communities continue their fight for survival and the preservation of their traditions in a context of abandonment and neglect.