On a summer evening in Mérida, the capital of Yucatán state in Mexico, a percussion group led a procession organized by Múuch’ Xíinbal, a Maya land rights organization. Protesters, including children and elderly members of the community, carried placards stating, “Water is not for sale,” while chanting slogans expressing dissatisfaction with government actions regarding water and land allocations. Participants expressed their opposition to various industrial projects introduced without community consent, notably targeting a Heineken brewery planned for Kanasín, which was announced in June as part of a $2.75 billion investment creating approximately 2,500 jobs.
Indigenous Maya communities view the Heineken project as indicative of broader issues regarding governmental prioritization of industrial development over local water and human rights. Activists, including Pedro Uc Be, have voiced concerns about the brewery’s expected water usage and its potential impact on local water supplies, emphasizing that even treated water could contribute to scarcity.
Kanasín is part of the Yucatán’s Cenote Ring, crucial for drinking water, yet studies indicate contamination risks from industrial practices. While Heineken claims to follow principles of sustainability in its water usage, activists are skeptical of these assertions, citing insufficient consultation with communities and historical inadequacies in wastewater management by similar projects in the area.
Community members have highlighted the potential risks of pollution from large-scale brewing operations and expressed concerns regarding the socioeconomic implications of rapid industrialization. Several Maya groups have challenged such projects in courts, aiming to establish legal protections for their water systems. However, the time-consuming and costly legal processes often yield delayed outcomes, raising questions about the communities’ long-term strategies for safeguarding their rights and resources. Through collective action, the Maya are asserting their cultural identity and continuing their resistance to perceived injustices.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/oct/04/maya-heineken-brewery-yucatan-mexico-cenote-ring