Tenacatita update: Limited beach access now, but no bathrooms

   The following email was received by people on the Tenacatita Bay email list of Dobie Dolphin.
    The news is that basically 8 years into this struggle, the struggle goes on.

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Hi Friends,

     Haven’t sent a beach update in a long time; maybe you’re wondering what’s going on. After more than 8 years, we’re still fighting for the beach and the surrounding properties that were taken illegally. Sometimes it’s 2 steps forward and 1 step back.   

The beach scene - before the takeover

     Last year the lawyer who’s been helping us for the last few years, was able to secure a permit so people could legally be on the beach renting umbrellas (for shade) with tables and chairs, and also selling food, beach toys, coconuts, etc. Food can’t be cooked there, but thanks to cell phones, people can sit in the shade, order their food from one of several restaurants on the road to the beach and have it delivered to their table. Other vendors walk around selling fruit (hollowed out pineapples with lots of cut up fruit inside), flan (Mexican custard), drinks, etc.

     It’s been a blessing for the town as most of the money made by the people working on the beach stays in town. Plus, the more amenities and services locals can provide, the more visitors come. Many spend a few days, eat in town, buy supplies at the grocery stores and generally help the town economy. It certainly isn’t the same as when there were 20 restaurants and stores on the beach, but it’s better than it’s been for the last 8 years.

     The big problem is there are no bathrooms. The county was supposed to build them last year, but they didn’t start until the spring, and squandered much of the money through inefficiency and poor administration. Elections were held in July and a new party won control of the county. Unfortunately the old administration left the county in debt, so at the moment there are no funds available.

     Last year we rented porta-potties, but they were very expensive and had to be emptied daily. The nearest place is in Manzanillo which is a couple of hours away. We had to cover them with palm fronds, but even so, sitting in the sun all day with not much ventilation, they started to smell. Not pleasant.

     We can’t legally build any permanent buildings but we can make some portable ones that will be on a trailer with a tank underneath. The tank will be emptied in a designated site not too far away. We’d like to have 2 sets, to place in different parts of the beach – each would have 2 women’s bathrooms and one for men. 

     There have been many expenses dealing with the ongoing lawsuits. The people renting the umbrellas and selling food on the beach have had major expenses getting their permits as a surveyor had to come to measure and provide exact coordinates for each permit.  It won’t cost so much when it comes time to renew (the permits are good for 3 months).

     Tourist season is about to begin, and without bathrooms on the beach, many of the tour buses and families won’t come. We’re estimating that each set will cost about $3,500 (for the bathrooms, the trailer and the holding tank). The Tena Fund has generously offered to donate $2,500 which I was told is the balance of the money in the fund.

     Last year a new group was started here in town called La Junta Vecinal (The Neighborhood Council). It’s composed of people who lost their businesses on the beach, members of the fishing cooperative and anyone who lives in El Rebalsito (the town closest to the beach, where I live) or who owns land here. There are over 140 members. I’m the treasurer and I’ve offered to help fundraise (along with others).

     So, anyone who would like to contribute towards having bathrooms on Tenacatita beach – all donations are accepted! Donations can be made via Pay Pal, to Dobie Dolphin, or checks may be sent to:

Savings Bank of Mendocino, P.O. Box 687, Mendocino, Ca. 95460

Checks can be made out to Dobie Dolphin. On the back of the check write For Deposit Only, acct# 3274 

     Please let me know if you send a check so I can keep track of who sent what as the bank statement just shows deposits, but doesn’t say who they’re from. 

     All contributions will be acknowledged and an accounting will be provided of how the money is spent.

     I realize there are many needs and more so now with the fires in California. Anything that can be spared will be greatly appreciated.

     Peace, health and happiness to all.

Love,

dobie 

Tenacatita Bay land-ownership court fight grinds on and on

  TENACATITA BEACH, Jalisco, Mexico - The long-running legal saga over control of the Tenacatita Bay beach and property seized in August 2010 by wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos continues.
     And despite occasional (erroneous) reports that things have returned to a version of normal, the New Year's report from Dobie Dolphin (printed below) suggests that things are, in fact, virtually the same as they have been since an army of armed goons working for Villalobos seized the land, forcibly evicted residents and then bulldozed most of the buildings.
     The land that was stolen from Mexicans and non-Mexicans is still controlled by Villalobos-owned  Rodenas Corporation. And even where landowners have won in court, they still are being blocked from taking possession of their property.
     Some beach access is now allowed. But even that access can be iffy.
     Here is a report from Dobie (who lives nearby), plus two recent photos...

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New Year's Day 2016 Tenacatita

Hi to all,

     As we start the new year, the various Tenacatita lawsuits still haven’t been resolved. Although several people have won their lots back, they still haven’t been able to take possession of them. The state prosecutor gave an order to the guards on the beach to allow the rightful owners to fence their lots and use their land. A couple of weeks ago, several land owners went, along with a lawyer, engineer with GPS measuring equipment to mark the boundaries, fence posts, barbed wire, workers to set the posts and fence their properties, and about 10 pounds of papers relating to their case.

     When we got there (I try to go along when possible), the guys started digging holes for the fence posts and within 15 minutes, the private security guards came up (we were at the top of a hill with a fantastic view of the ocean and the bay) and said they had an order and people had to stop working and leave. Since the lawyer had the paper signed by the state prosecutor he said they could legally be there, and the guards left.

     But a few minutes later, the state police came and said the same thing. When the lawyer asked who told them that the owners had to leave, they said it was the state prosecutor – the same one who signed the order telling the police not to stop the owners from taking possession of their property.

A few people had their cell phones out and were recording the conversation. The state police got aggressive, grabbed the cell phones and erased what had been recorded. The lawyer was able to get the cell phones back and he noticed that one was still recording, so he asked the policeman his name, who told him that the land owners would have to leave, etc. So in the end, everything was videoed and recorded and we all left without incident.

     The lawyer then filed several more lawsuits, against the private security police, the state police, the state prosecutor and the father of the governor of the state of Jalisco who’s a judge. The governor keeps saying he supports the people who won their land back, but it's only in words, not deeds.

So in a sense, nothing has really changed. 

     People continue to enjoy the beach and many came and camped over the holidays. Although no one can sell anything on the beach, the police didn’t stop locals from renting umbrellas, tables and chairs to the beach goers. Restaurants were able to leave menus, and people could call on their cell phones and have food delivered to the beach. At least it brought some income to the locals.

     Every year we hope that this will be the year the conflict is resolved. Hard to believe it’s gone on this long. 

     There has been more media coverage - to read newspaper articles and watch 2 short videos (all in Spanish), you can go to: www.tenacatita-libre.blogspot.com

Wishing everyone a healthy, peaceful year,

Dobie

Tenacatita Bay and community - what was then and what is now

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - I went back to Tenacatita about a week ago, my second visit since the land was stolen in August 2010 by Jose Villalobos and goons hired by his company, Rodenas.

Photos tell the story best of what was then, and what is now:

Tenacatita Beach before the illegal seizure

Tenacatita Bay beach, January 2014

There are no services there - not even a bathroom or fresh water. The guards, of course, have both, though they seemed unlikely to share.

Along the road leading into the beach, several rather nasty looking, heavily armed guards patrol the road, ensuring that no one wanders off to look at the properties on the Pacific Ocean beach. It's there most of the gringos owned property. Some built houses, all improved the land.

What few gringo houses remain (the ones Villalobos didn't bulldoze in a fit of pique) are vacant with nature slowly reclaiming them.

As part of the trip, I had a brief conversation with one of big chiefs of the ejido who said the major court case has been settled - in Villalobos favor, of course.

He will be keeping the 42 hectares he claimed all along, but the balance of the land he seized (maybe another 42 or more hectares) is likely to be returned to the people. The people, in this case, are members of the ejido. Exactly where gringos who lost their land fit in to this scenario is unclear at best. Perhaps they will have to buy it again.

So although the beach is reopened - and subject to close surveillance - the ownership of the land is still in question. There is no conversation at all about reopening any restaurants or restoring services on the public beach.

Two sets of guards at Tenacatita now - Villalobos' and state of Jalisco

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - There are two sets of guards now at Tenacatita Beach, those in the employe of wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who seized the beach and surrounding land by force in August 2010 - and those in the employe of the state of Jalisco.

Checkpoint Charlie being torn down

The Villalobos people are the same ones who kept the public out at gunpoint for nearly three years until the beach was reopened June 2. The guard shack - nicknamed Checkpoint Charlie by some gringos - was pulled down.

Until it was removed, anyone wanting to go to the beach had to stop, answer often-rudely asked questions and frequently had their cars searched by the guards. None of the Checkpoint Charlie guards spent much time at charm school, most visitors reported.

And if you were one of the people who owned land taken in the seizure, the guards would not let you in.

Villalobos

The Jalisco state police at Tenacatita are there now to help keep the peace. Tensions are still high as the eviction in August 2010 forcibly removed people from their homes and places of businesses. Most of the structures were destroyed by Villalobos' bulldozers and workers in the interim.

A number of court cases against Villalobos and his company (Rodenas) are still winding their way through the labrynith of the Mexico judicial system. There are claims against him for the illegal seizure as well as the damage and destruction.

But for now it appears no restaurants or other facilities will be allowed in the Federal Zone. The beach is open for day use only, no camping.

The beach road is closed to traffic.

The head of Villalobos guards, warning people off land Villalobos claims is his (Photo by John Jankovsky)

A Jalisco state police officer there to keep the peace (Photo by John Jankovsky)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenacatita Bay Beach gate is gone, but Rodenas guards remain

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The Tenacatita Bay Beach - once the site of restaurants, shops and various commercial concessions is now open to the public after nearly three years of being closed off.

August 2010 eviction of Tenacatita residents

But the dispute over the properties seized in an armed takeover August 4, 2010 remains. In that morning surprise attack, nearly 800 Mexican citizens and handful of gringos were rousted from homes by police and forced to leave at gunpoint.

Visitors to the beach report that a contingent of heavily armed guards are patrolling the area behind the beach and other adjacent areas where wealthy developer Guadalajara Jose Villalobos claims ownership.

The tearing down of the guard shack and reopening of the public highway to the beach was a cause for great celebration June 2, drawing hundreds of people.

Villalobos

But as jubilant as the crowds were, it's only a first step towards regaining what was once one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Costalegre. The public access is limited to the Federal Zone beach area.

And for now there are no announced plans for rebuilding any restaurants or recreating any of the infrastructure that was destroyed by Villalobos.

Villalobos maintains that he is the legal owner of all the properties his security forced seized in 2010. Some of the property owners are still fighting in court to regain their lands.

Tenacatita Bay Beach in its glory days - before the August 2010 seizure

Gates down, beach access reportedly restored at Tenacatita

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The message board in La Manzanilla is reporting that the Checkpoint Charlie bottleneck that kept the public from the Tenacatita Beach has been removed.

Here is the link to the La Manzanilla Board: La Manz Board - Tenacatita Fence is Down

Reports say this gate and the thug guards have been removed

 The land was seized by the Rodenas Corporation (and its politically well-connected owner Jose Villalobos of Guadalajara) in a  violent takeover August 4, 2010.

In the surprise attack and armed takeover, nearly 800 Mexican citizens - and few gringos - were rousted from homes by 200 police and forced to leave at gunpoint.

Their possessions were seized, stores looted. A few household items were returned later.

A number of unarmed people were hurt in the assault, though none of the armed men who assaulted the property owners were arrested or convicted.

What the opening of the beach means for people whose property was seized has yet to be determined.

Tenacatita Beach and the loss of a Mexican community

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The very dateline on this story raises a question. Is there even a village called Tenacatita anymore?

The nearby village of Rebalsito survived the armed onslaught that swallowed Tenacatita Beach nearly three years ago. But what of the actual community, named for the bay and residing on the tiny slip of land now occupied by armed invaders hired by the Rodenas Corporation?

Welcome to the Tenacatita Beach "access"

Rereading posts of the Tenacatita Bay Bugle in the months leading up to the seizure by the forces paid by Jose Villalobos of Guadalajara, you can see there is optimism for a Tenacatita that would have most likely continued on its prosperous course.

The restaurants and commercial activity had never been as evident or growing as fast. There was lots of new paint, new buildings, small markets, new plantings of trees and lots and lots of tourists.

And then poof, thanks to greed, power and a lot of guns, Tenacatita (the village, the community) disappeared almost overnight.

There is continued talk that the Mexican judicial system will eventually oust Villalobos and the aggressive armed guards who keep Mexicans and gringos alike from having anything remotely resembling normal free access to the public beach and land that once held a community.

Perhaps.

But in the meantime, the question remains: Is there still a Tenacatita community or did Villalobos manage to destroy it along with all the businesses and homes his bulldozers turned to rubble?

Happy times, before Tenacatita Beach was seized by a Guadalajara developer

Tenacatita lawsuits over illegal land seizures likely over for most plaintiffs

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The stalag-like gates, barbed wire, surly unshaven guards with machine guns and the barking attack dogs will likely remain in place now, keeping the public (and legitimate landowners) from going back to the beautiful beaches here, once enjoyed by thousands.

Many of the people who sued the Rodenas Corporation (and its politically well-connected owner Jose Villalobos of Guadalajara) for its illegal - and violent - takeover of land August 4, 2010 learned this week their lawsuits have been heard and legal arguments turned down by the courts.

Three legal cases (of many filed) might be able to move forward.

In the surprise attack and armed takeover, nearly 800 Mexican citizens - and few gringos - were rousted from homes by 200 police and forced to leave at gunpoint.

Their possessions were seized, stores looted. A few household items were returned later.

A number of unarmed people were hurt in the assault, though none of the armed men who assaulted the property owners were arrested or convicted.

The bad news for the plaintiffs - whose property was taken - came after nearly two years of litigation. They learned that their amparo cases have been thrown out and attorneys say there really doesn't seem to be any further avenues for appeal. Many non-Mexicans had purchased properties along the ocean. A few had built houses and in one case a small RV park. One of those houses is being used as a headquarters for the guards.

In Mexico, guns, money and political influence seems to have overruled good public policy and potentially good relations with future investors.

Villalobos has indicated he wants to build a golf course and resort along the scenic beach, but investors apparently are shy about contributing to his dream. Perhaps it's having their cars searched on the way in to look at the property, lunging guard dogs or the guards themselves.

Below is a photo of the armed gunmen evicting some of residents of Tenacatita in 2010. Many of the evictees hold titles on their land, signed by the President of Mexico.

Courts make rulings, but the gates at Tenacatita stay up

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Although Mexican courts have been ruling against Jose Villalobos and his forced takeover of Tenacatita, the gates, the guards, the fences and the attack dogs remain.

In that takeover August 4, 2010, nearly 800 Mexican citizens were roused from homes by 200 police and forced to leave at gunpoint. Their possessions were seized, stores looted. A few household items were returned later.

A number of unarmed people were hurt in the assault.

Most recently, people are the area were heartened by Villalobos' loss of the federal concession to the beach. There was a great deal of speculation that he would have to open the beach by Semana Santa, then the speculation said maybe April 30.

But since then, everything remains status quo. Anyone trying to get to the beach still has to pass through an ugly chain link checkpoint, where unpleasant guards carrying automatic weapons demand to search cars, require that identification be left at the guard shack and generally act as though anyone headed to the beach is a suspect.

Here is a brief report posted on the People's Guide to Mexico:
People's Guide to Mexico

In the meantime, some individual lawsuits, brought by American and Canadian landowners (whose oceanfront properties were seized by hundreds of armed guards in the employ of Villalobos) have had hearings in Guadalajara courts.

Rulings on their requests for amparos (injunctions) are pending.

Here is a photo of what Tenacatita Bay Beach looked like before Villalobos seized it and bulldozed the many restaurants and concessionaire facilities there.

Happier days, before the illegal seizure by Jose Villalobos

Court cases moving ahead, after a long delay

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The lawsuits filed against Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos and his corporation (Rodenas) are finally being heard in Guadalajara courts.

Several of the American plaintiffs who are seeking amparos against Villalobos report that their witnesses - who are testifying about ownership of the properties in question - are being allowed to give their testimony to the courts.

The witnesses have been on standby for more than a year in some cases, as each case hearing has been repeatedly postponed. In many cases, the postponements were tied to a lack of documents required by the court.

The sudden flood of testimony comes in the wake of a judgment against Villalobos, telling him to return the land to its rightful owners and restore the properties. He has appealed and continues to hold the land he took by force along Tenacatita Bay and the nearby ocean beach.

He evicted hundreds of Mexican citizens and non-Mexicans from their homes early one morning at gunpoint.

The persons forced off their land said that the people who chased them off then looted their properties and stole most of their possessions.

Since that August 2010 incident, Villalobos destroyed buildings, erected fences and has the land patrolled around the clock. Anyone attempting to drive to the beach is required to go through a checkpoint where very unfriendly armed guards search cars, demand identification and tell people that they can go to the beach, but not take any photos of the land.

Persons who attempt to walk down the ocean beach are rebuffed by guards pointing automatic weapons at them - despite Mexican law which says beachfronts are public property.

Below is a photo of the formerly public Tenacatita Bay Beach, taken from the deck of sailboat in a race last month.



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Road-widening project near Costalegre airport site

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - Admiral Fox and I rolled out of Arroyo Seco Monday, headed to Puerto Vallarta for a short stay - and to participate in the Banderas Bay Regatta next week.

But before we left Sunday, we quizzed some of the Arroyo Seco folks who seem the most knowledgeable about the road, lagoon and marina projects people are talking about.

On the Arroyo Seco beach, where it abuts the El Tecuan property, there are orange survey stakes in place, possibly indicating the site of a road.

But it was the news about when this supposed project(s) would take place that was the most interesting.

According to one Arroyo Seco village leader, the government is going great guns to get the airport north of Chamela operational. That is supposed to be phase one, he said. Second, the work on the lagoon, possibly linking it to the waterways leading all the way to Tenacatita. Third, the marina project will be done.

That was all spinning through my mind when we came past the airstrip on our way north.

Out in the middle of the wilderness (but within a few kilometers of the new airstrip), earth moving equipment is turning Highway 200 into a four-lane highway.

No, I am not kidding.

The construction zone is several kilometers long and they are working fast. I didn't see any signs of a new mall going in, so I suppose it is to serve the new airport.

My question is, what would they name an airport out there? Costalegre International?


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Arroyo Seco project linked to Tenacatita?

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The guards are still in the guardhouse and as unfriendly as ever.

But a new project just announced for the El Tecuan/Arroyo Seco area might be somehow linked to the illegal seizure of land on the Tenacatita Bay and Beach.

This was posted in the Captain's Blog:

http://stardatejune07.blogspot.com/


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Big project in Arroyo Seco may be linked to Tenacatita

http://stardatejune07.blogspot.com/2012/03/ahoy-welcome-to-marina-arroyo-seco.html

Sorry for the lame link, but my iPad had some limitations for blog posting.... Check out the Captain's Blog...

In a few days, we will be in Vallarta where I can post from a computer...

Gracias...

A visit to Tenacatita Beach, with armed guards watching us

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - A quick visit to Tenacatita Beach, our first since the land was illegally seized by Jose Villalobos more than a year ago, can best be described as surreal.

First, we had to pass through a caged area, in which they searched our truck and asked lots of questions about why we were coming in. Then as we drove in, a guard with a rifle watched us from a balcony of the house built by a woman named Irene. Adm. Fox had her IPad taking pictures but put it down - we had strict orders, only photos of the beach.

At the beach, it was worse. A snarly guard told us exactly where to park and then made it clear that photos were to be of the water, not even the beach in either direction,

And how did I determine the guard with the automatic weapon was snarly? Instead of the polite 'senor' he hollered at me repeatedly using 'usted'. Senor of course means Mister, usted translates as You.

These guys would be very at home in the Oakland, California police department.

In La Manzanilla, the people - including one person whose restaurant was seized - seem convinced that the beach will reopen, sans guards, in December.

Vamos a ver, amigos.

When we return in January, we will make a more concerted assault to get photos, perhaps even hire a boat to shoot video and photos from the bay - if the guards are still strutting about like stormtroopers.



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Supreme Court rules against Rodenas - says give land back

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The following was published in the Guadalajara Reporter. Much of the information has also been passed along by Dobie Dolphin of Rebalsito.

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A district judge who rubber-stamped the eviction of restaurant and businesses owners on Tenacatita beach last year was not qualified to issue the order, the Jalisco Supreme Court has ruled.  The September 21 decision gives hope to dozens of families living in nearby El Rebalsito, who may soon be able to return to the beachfront land where they have worked for more than three decades.

The three Novena Sala (Ninth Salon) magistrates ruled that Guadalajara real estate firm Rodenas Inmobiliaria must now make reparations for all damages occurred when state police – acting on the order of the 2nd district court judge in Autlan – forcibly took over the zone in the early morning of August 4, 2010.  The eviction resulted from Rodenas’ decades-old dispute over land ownership rights with the local Resbalse de Apazulco ejido.

Over many years, restaurant and hotel infrastructure has been built in the area to cater to locals and tourists.  The business owners even paid the annual fees giving them the privilege of using parts of the federally-owned beach for commercial purposes.

The zone was eventually titled to individual ejido members in 2006 under a federal land regularization program. Some lots had already been sold to foreigners and registered in the name of a Mexican citizen (prestanombre). But once the lots were titled, the foreigners were able to own the land through a fideicomiso (bank trust).

Rodenas director José María Andrés Villalobos – who says he purchased the land from the wife of a former Jalisco governor in 1991 – claims these titles have no validity and that the ejiditarios have been squatting his property for decades.  In previous interviews Villalobos has indicated that he wants to build a luxury tourist development beside the undeveloped beach, one of the prettiest in the state.

A key element of last month’s Jalisco Supreme Court decision was that the Autlan judge was not authorized by law to issue the eviction order that resulted from a previous Mexican Supreme Court ruling determining Rodenas to be the legal owners of the disputed beachfront land.

“He’s not a federal judge and he exceeded his responsibilities,” explained Everardo Rojas Contreras, El Rebalse de Apazulco ejido’s legal representative, at a press conference this week.

In addition, said Rojas, instead of taking possession of the 42 hectares in dispute, Rodenas has assumed control of more than 140 hectares.

As expected, Rodenas filed its own appeal (amparo) three days after its unfavorable September 21 ruling. But Rojas is confident this maneuver will come to nothing and expects magistrates to make their review of the case at the end of October and issue a “final decision” sometime in early December.

“Rodenas will have to open access to the beach immediately and repair the damages that they caused,” Rojas said. “We are in no hurry. It’s been a year since the eviction and we have total confidence in the justice system.”

Only when residents are allowed back into the zone can the full amount of damages be ascertained, Rojas said.

According to several sources, since securing the zone Rodenas personnel have demolished much, but not all, of the existing infrastructure in the Tenacatita beachfront area.  This includes the palapa seafood restaurants that served tourists and locals for more than 40 years, as well hotels and everything in them, such as beds, refrigerators, freezers and televisions.

If the new ruling stands, Rodenas will be liable for all missing and destroyed items, including boats, motors, electrical equipment, and even a horse, Rojas said.

Armed state police officers – many of them “auxiliaries” employed by a security firm also owned by Villalobos – have been guarding the land ever since the August 2010 eviction. They have allowed some tourists limited access to the beach, although by law all Mexican beaches must have open public access.

In addition, Rojas said the case raises important questions over a state’s limits on legislative procedure. For this reason, he said, he intends to start legal proceedings against Jalisco Governor Emilio Gonzalez and Police Chief Carlos Najera, whom he said have both supported Rodenas’ illegal case against the ejiditarios.

Speaking at the press conference, Rojas admitted that Rodenas owner Villalobos – a former head of the local Chamber of Commerce and president of Expo Guadalajara – is powerful and well connected but added that, “while he’s tough, I’m tougher.”

According to a 2006 profile in El Informador’s “Gente Bien” social supplement, Villalobos trained as a lawyer, and after a spell working in the Infonavit public housing department, ventured into the real estate sector.  He mentioned that his business was badly affected by the 1995 economic crisis, so he moved into the security service arena, specializing in tracing stolen vehicles by satellite.

His successful security company is now certified to act as Policia Auxiliar Estatal (State Auxiliary Police), whose primary clients are the Jalisco State Government.  In the profile, Villalobos talked of how “for the good of the country,” businessmen should strive to work “hand-in-hand” with the working-class.

Villalobos charging fee for admission to Tenacatita Beach

Villalobos

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - An article in El Occidental (LINK: El Occidental) says that Jose Villalobos - the wealthy Guadalajara developer who violently seized the Tenacatita Beach area and evicted nearly 800 persons August 4, 2010 with a force of 130 armed men - is now defying an order by PROFEPA to open to the beach to the public.

And in the same story, it is reported that he is charging for people to enter (100 pesos per car and 20 pesos per person). In addition, there apparently are toilet facilities now available - if people are willing to pay.

Admission is only granted after an interrogation by the state police guarding the acreage seized by Villalobos.

First, interrogation, then pay a fee

Since Villalobos has not allowed free public access, the story says a notario will be dispatched to witness that the beach is still closed to document what is going on. Further legal action - filed by the state government, might follow.

Villalobos claims he owned 42 hectares of Tenacatita, including the beach on the bayside and much of the Pacific Beach side, too. When he seized the land, however, he took more than twice that and is denying access to all the people who formerly lived there - or who say they have a claim of ownership of land in the area.

Many non-Mexican citizens hold federal titles to the lands now controlled by armed guards and police under the direction of Villalobos. Lawsuits against Villalobos are working their way through the court system in Guadalajara.

Since Villalobos seized the land, most of the structures that had been in place - palapas, restaurants, bathroom facilities and tiendas - were all bulldozed

Destroying buildings on Tenacatita Beach

Oregon benefit for Tenacatita nets more than $1,600 USD

DEADWOOD, Oregon, USA - A fundraiser held here for the 800 people evicted at gunpoint from Tenacatita by wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos August 4, 2010 raised more than $1,600. And the party that night went on past 2 a.m.

The event had about 100 people attend, with locally grown organic beef donated by Allen and Kristi Guse, said Felisa Rogers, one of the event organizers. There were $5 taco dinners with an additional $250 worth of food was donated by Kamari Moeller and Tom and Becky Gannon. Karen Moeller made and donated the desserts.

'Coco Open' attire

"People made a sliding scale donation of $5 or more to see The Crow Quill Night Owls, an excellent band that plays old-timey jazz and jug band music," Felisa said. "The band played three sets and was very popular with the crowd (lots of dancing)."

Anyone familiar with the 30-year-old tradition called the 'coco open,' held annually on the Tenacatita Beach would have been right at home. Some people dressed in lingerie or golf attire to honor this ancient Tenacatita cultural tradition.

"We had a pinata for the kids and a costume competition with me and our neighbor Michelle Holman as MCs," she said.

Felisa also gave a slide show about the situation. LINK: Tenacatita presentation

Gary Thomas of Mendocino brought Tenacatita t-shirts.  A number of people from Seattle and Portland attended the event, including many former visitors to Tenacatita.

"The raffle was a particular success--we sold hundreds of $1 tickets. Prizes included a massage by Angela Adamski LMT and a custom made bikini by Shady Lady designs," Felisa said. "One of the prizes was cash. Half of the pot was intended for the winner and the other half for the Tenacatita Fund. Greg Hertzbach won the prize, and donated his winnings back to the fund."

Here is a video of the band playing at the fundraiser:



Here are some additional photos from the event, sent to the Tenacatita Bay Bugle by Felisa Rogers:

SEMARNAT tells Rodenas and Villalobos - open the beach

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - A report out of Tenacatita says that for the first time, a part of the federal government of Mexico is trying to lay down the law and get Jose Villalobos to open the Tenacatita Beach to the public.

Villalobos

Villalobos seized the beach by force August 4, evicting families and landowners, claiming that the area was his.
He says he owns 42 hectares in the area but seized close to 80 hectares, including land along the Pacific Beach owned by Mexicans, Americans and other non-nationals.

SEMARNAT delivered an 8-page document to Villalobos, according to Dobie, who lives in Rebalsito and who has been instrumental in trying to get their land back.
Much of the land seized by Villalobos - with the help of the state police - is federally titled.
The SEMARNAT document says that if Rodenas wants to keep the concession to the beach he has to "abstain from doing anything to impede free access to the beach."
The terms of the concession say it is prohibited for Villalobos to put up any fences or impede free pedestrian access to the federal zone.
A violation of that will be cause for revocation of the concession.

Tenacatita Beach access point

Dobie said that Villalobos had five days to open the beach.  Because he hasn't, a notary has come to the beach as a witness that access is still being denied.
"This is a big step forward," she said. "It is the first time a federal agency (or any agency for that matter) has actually taken official, legal action."

Members of the fishing cooperative have filed a demanda against Rodenas and Villalobos for violation of their constitutional rights and loss of income. Dobie accompanied some of the members of the cooperative to Guadlajara recently the help with the filing.
"The lawyers are feeling very positive," she said.

The August 2010 eviction process

Tenacatita 'agreement' in the works; guards won't let Semarnat in

Villalobos

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Another attempt at forming an agreement between the ejido of Tenacatita and the government over access to Tenacatita Beach is in process - possibly to try to get some public access for thousands of Mexican vacationers during Semana Santa.

Diputado David Hernandez - who is featured in the video below using his truck to tear down the gates put up by Jose Villalobos  - was supposed to present a proposed agreement to the ejido a few days ago, but it wasn't ready to be discussed, according to Dobie, who lives in Rebalsito.



Villalobos seized the Tenacatita Beach (and some portions of the oceanfront) August 4, 2010 with a force of 200 police. Nearly 800 people were evicted forcibly from the land. Some were arrested in the process and much rough treatment by police was reported.

Since then, virtually all of the buildings and palapas along the bayside and ocean have been bulldozed. Guards at the single road access point allow only limited - and arbitrary - access to the empty beach. Anyone attempting to enter the beach has to surrender identification and cannot take alcohol.

Photos are also forbidden. About 20 guards are currently patrolling the beach area.

Villalobos claims that he owns 42 hectares of land along the beach and ocean and that the persons evicted were all squatters. In addition to the evicted Mexican property owners - many of whom hold federal titles to their land - Americans, Canadians and Germans were also evicted from their ocean side properties. Numerous lawsuits are in process against Villalobos in Guadalajara.

At the last ejido meeting, a letter was read from SEMARNAT (the environmental agency). Representatives of Semarnat went to the Tenacatita gates, where the armed guards bar entrance to the beach. SEMARNAT was there to serve Villalobos with legal papers indicating he was being fined for cutting mangroves illegally.

The guards would not let SEMARNAT staff in to serve him, or representatives of his company, Rodenas with the legal documents

Dobie also said that a reporter from a magazine called PODER was in town, interviewing people.

The reporter also interviewed Villalobos for two hours in Guadalajara. Her story is expected to come out in a future PODER edition.

PODER's target audience is executives of business firms whose salaries are in excess of $250,000 (USD).

LINK TO PODER:
PODER magazine

Fundraiser for displaced Tenacatita residents April 9 - in Oregon

DEADWOOD, Oregon, USA - A fundraiser for the people of Tenacatita - many of whom were forced from their homes at gunpoint August 4, 2010 - is set for Saturday, April 9 here in the northwest.

The fundraiser is going to be held at the Deadwood Community Center and will have a dinner, entertainment and a raffle.

Rogers

Felisa Rogers, managing editor of The People's Guide to Mexico, (LINK TO GUIDE) says that the event is expected to draw people from as far as California and Seattle.

"We are having a dinner (taco bar) and show (with an excellent band, The Crow Quill Night Owls) on April 9. We'll also have a raffle of donated items, t-shirts for sale, and a costume competition," she said.

Rogers has written about the Tenacatita situation on her blog, Winterpalace, also. LINK: Winterpalace by Felisa Rogers.

Here is the flier circulating to promote the event:

The land in Tenacatita was taken over August 4, 2010 by wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who has announced he has plans to build a luxury hotel and golf course on his claimed 42 hectares along the bay and oceanfront.

He claims he purchased the land 20 years ago and that the people who were evicted were squatters.

Many of the people who were evicted have filed lawsuits in Mexican courts to regain their lands.

Many of these same people - including Americans, Canadians, Germans as well as Mexicans - hold federal titles signed by former Mexican President Vincente Fox or incumbent President Felipe Calderon.

As the court cases slowly wind their way through the system. many of the people who have filed the lawsuits fear that when Felipe Calderon leaves office at the end of his term, he might be replaced by Emilio Gonzalez Marquez, currently the governor of Jalisco.

Marquez has steadfastly refused to intervene - even though Jalisco state police were involved in the evictions and are themselves the subject of many claims of brutality by the people forced out of their homes.

Marquez is closely linked to Villalobos also because Villalobos (the former president of the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce) is heading up the Pan-American Games efforts in Guadalajara. The games begin in October.

The governor (left) with Villalobos