VILLA MADERO, Mexico (AP) — As a drought in Mexico drags on, angry subsistence farmers have begun taking direct action on thirsty avocado orchards and berry fields of commercial farms that are drying up streams in the mountains west of Mexico City.
Rivers and even whole lakes are disappearing in the once green and lush state of Michoacan, as the drought combines with a surge in the use of water for the country’s lucrative export crops, lead by avocados.
In recent days, subsistence farmers and activists from the Michoacan town of Villa Madero organized teams to go into the mountains and rip out illegal water pumps and breach unlicensed irrigation holding ponds.
A potential conflict looms with avocado growers — who are often sponsored by, or pay protection money to, drug cartels.
Last week, dozens of residents, farmworkers and small-scale farmers from Villa Madero hiked up into the hills to tear out irrigation equipment using mountain springs to water avocado orchards carved out of the pine-covered hills.
Trump's 'Truth Social' applied for H
Election 2024 Biden raised $90 million
How a Black conservative activist arranged Donald Trump's stop at an Atlanta Chick
Andrei Kuzmenko's hat trick leads Calgary to a 6
Pregnant Emily Miller goes braless and shows off her bump under daring tie
What to expect in the Alaska and Wyoming Democratic presidential contests
Oil and gas companies must pay more to drill on federal lands under new Biden administration rule
Election 2024 poll: Americans dissatisfied with Biden, Trump
Baltimore port to open deeper channel, enabling some cargo ships to pass after bridge collapse
Biden heads to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to talk about taxes
Max Fried throws Atlanta's first 9
Trump’s hush money trial will test Alvin Bragg's efforts at neutrality