Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo signed two decrees to return more than 820 hectares of land to the Ódami and Rarámuri peoples in the Sierra Tarahumara as part of the federal government’s Justice Plan. The event, held in Guadalupe y Calvo, Chihuahua, represents a decisive step toward the historical recognition of Indigenous territorial rights, restoring traditional communal ownership of their lands.
During her visit, Sheinbaum emphasized that the land restitution is an act of historical justice and a continuation of the efforts initiated by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. She affirmed that the Justice Plan for the Sierra Tarahumara not only acknowledges the cultural roots of Indigenous peoples but also their legitimate right to preserve their territories, languages, and identities. The new Artisanal Roads Program was also launched, with a commitment to construct 16 road sections in the region.
The justice project for Indigenous communities includes other key measures such as electrification, access to healthcare, clean drinking water, and education. As part of this effort, the Health House to House program will be implemented, bringing monthly medical brigades to the communities, along with the construction of nursing schools to train local health personnel. These actions will be coordinated by the Ministry of Welfare and IMSS Bienestar.
Edna Elena Vega, head of the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (Sedatu), reported that the lands returned in this round add to over 2,000 hectares previously restored in the region, bringing the total to nearly 3,000 hectares. Adelfo Regino Montes, director of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples, stated that the total investment of the Justice Plan in Sierra Tarahumara amounts to 5.44 billion pesos, allocated to environmental justice, infrastructure, and education projects.
Finally, it was announced that the Indigenous Social Infrastructure Contribution Fund will allocate an additional 354 million pesos for the Tepehuano and Rarámuri peoples. The event was attended by federal officials, traditional authorities, and community representatives, reaffirming a shared commitment to the dignity and well-being of Indigenous peoples in Chihuahua.
