LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - A video - made with a concealed camera - was posted New Year's Eve of a confrontation that took place this fall between Jalisco State Police and someone who had landed on the disputed beach in Tenacatita.
The Tenacatita bayside beach - and lots along the Tenacatita oceanfront (some owned by non-Mexicans) were seized August 4 by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos, a wealthy Guadalajara developer who claims he bought the land nearly 20 years ago. The armed men came in without warning August 4 and forcibly evicted as many as 800 people from the area.
Beachfront restaurants and facilities have been destroyed on the bay beach, as have many homes and buildings on the oceanfront.
A group of people from nearby Rebalsito and La Manzanilla did go to the beach Dec. 27 to draw attention to the situation. They were allowed access for that day, though police were nearby.
The video, which is in Spanish, does have subtitles and written commentary for none Spanish speakers.
The video is a YouTube video, and the link first appeared on the La Manzanilla message board: La Manz message board
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tenacatita one-day 'picnic' goes off without incident
TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - A one-day picnic on the Tenacatita Beach Monday went off without any serious hitches, according to Rebalsito resident Dobie, writing on the La Manzanilla message board.
"It was a great day. Wonderful to watch boatloads of people go by, waving their Mexican flags," she wrote.
Here is a link to the full message: Tenacatita Beach picnic report
The picnic was put together to draw attention to the seizure of the Tenacatita Beach August 4 by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos, a Guadalajara developer who claims he owns about 42 hectares of land on Tenacatita Bay and on the oceanfront side, too.
Nearly 800 residents were evicted that day and lands owned by Mexicans and non-Mexicans were seized and have been under armed guard since. The beach restaurants were razed and homes destroyed.
A number of lawsuits have been filed against Villalobos in federal courts from people trying to regain their land. Much of the property is federally titled, though Villalobos claims the titles are invalid.
A number of beachfront homes and a small RV park owned by non-Mexicans have been destroyed also, according to reports.
Monday's 'picnic' was the first time that the guards let a large group of people through since August 4. Previous attempts at gaining access to the beach have been met with force by the guards.
For this organized picnic, participants came via boats from La Manzanilla and via the formerly public road, which now has a gate across it.
According to Dobie's report, people coming through via road had to leave their identifications with the guards at the gate. People who arrived via boat were not asked for anything, she said.
Though Monday's event went off without any problems, it remains unclear if public access to the Tenacatita beach has been restored, or if this was a one-time reaction by Villalobos and his security forces designed to avoid a public confrontation. Since seizing the beach in August, Villalobos has told public officials that the beach is open to the public and that the guards are there only to maintain order.
The photo below, from Informador.com.mx, shows what people who arrived by car had to face.
"It was a great day. Wonderful to watch boatloads of people go by, waving their Mexican flags," she wrote.
Here is a link to the full message: Tenacatita Beach picnic report
The picnic was put together to draw attention to the seizure of the Tenacatita Beach August 4 by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos, a Guadalajara developer who claims he owns about 42 hectares of land on Tenacatita Bay and on the oceanfront side, too.
Nearly 800 residents were evicted that day and lands owned by Mexicans and non-Mexicans were seized and have been under armed guard since. The beach restaurants were razed and homes destroyed.A number of lawsuits have been filed against Villalobos in federal courts from people trying to regain their land. Much of the property is federally titled, though Villalobos claims the titles are invalid.
A number of beachfront homes and a small RV park owned by non-Mexicans have been destroyed also, according to reports.
Monday's 'picnic' was the first time that the guards let a large group of people through since August 4. Previous attempts at gaining access to the beach have been met with force by the guards.
For this organized picnic, participants came via boats from La Manzanilla and via the formerly public road, which now has a gate across it.
According to Dobie's report, people coming through via road had to leave their identifications with the guards at the gate. People who arrived via boat were not asked for anything, she said.
Though Monday's event went off without any problems, it remains unclear if public access to the Tenacatita beach has been restored, or if this was a one-time reaction by Villalobos and his security forces designed to avoid a public confrontation. Since seizing the beach in August, Villalobos has told public officials that the beach is open to the public and that the guards are there only to maintain order.
The photo below, from Informador.com.mx, shows what people who arrived by car had to face.
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| Beach access, but first... |
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tenacatita Day of Camping Monday will be a boat-in event
TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The La Manzanilla message board reported today that the 'day of camping' picnic on Tenacatita Beach, Monday, Dec. 27, will begin with a panga ride across Tenacatita Bay from La Manzanilla to the disputed beach area of Tenacatita.
A post, by Dobie of Rebalsito, (who has been helping organize the people evicted by Jose Villalobos August 4), says that people should gather by a 10 a.m. Monday at Restaurant Cato on the La Manzanilla beach. From there, boats will traverse the bay, with a landing on the beach at Tenacatita. About 150 people are expected to be taken there by water.
Here is a link to her full message: Beach landing for Tenacatita Event
The news that the 'picnic' is taking place comes after several days of individuals reportedly saying in La Manzanilla that Tenacatita Beach was open to the public - or about to be opened with full public access.
As of late Thursday, the gates - and guards - were still in place, barring the public from the formerly popular resort area.
The entire area was seized by armed forces under the direction of Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who claims ownership of the area - despite the federal titles issued for the land, held by many Mexican and non-Mexican citizens.
In his August 4 takeover, nearly 800 people were evicted from their homes and businesses at gunpoint. Several persons were arrested and numerous persons injured in the assault.
Since then, numerous protests have taken place, Jalisco government officials have expressed outrage over the takeover, and lawsuits have been filed against Rodenas claiming - among other things - that his gunpoint takeover of the bay and oceanfront land was unconstitutional.
Villalobos reportedly has plans to build a luxury hotel in the area - and possibly a golf course.
A post, by Dobie of Rebalsito, (who has been helping organize the people evicted by Jose Villalobos August 4), says that people should gather by a 10 a.m. Monday at Restaurant Cato on the La Manzanilla beach. From there, boats will traverse the bay, with a landing on the beach at Tenacatita. About 150 people are expected to be taken there by water.
Here is a link to her full message: Beach landing for Tenacatita Event
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| Fence and gate blocking access to Tenacatita |
As of late Thursday, the gates - and guards - were still in place, barring the public from the formerly popular resort area.
The entire area was seized by armed forces under the direction of Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who claims ownership of the area - despite the federal titles issued for the land, held by many Mexican and non-Mexican citizens.
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| Jose Villalobos |
Since then, numerous protests have taken place, Jalisco government officials have expressed outrage over the takeover, and lawsuits have been filed against Rodenas claiming - among other things - that his gunpoint takeover of the bay and oceanfront land was unconstitutional.
Villalobos reportedly has plans to build a luxury hotel in the area - and possibly a golf course.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Planning underway for Tenacatita 'day of camping' Monday, Dec. 27
REBALSITO, Jalisco, Mexico - The organizers of the 'day of camping' on the Tenacatita Beach are getting together this week to work on the details of how the event will unfold Monday, Dec. 27.
The preliminary plans are for people to gather in Rebalsito and make their way to the beach via a back entrance, which will require crossing some waterways.
Once on the easterly section of the beach - which is not in dispute - the plan is to have people walk west along the shore until they reach the area of Tenacatita Beach formerly occupied by restaurants, hotels, and various businesses.
Should the road suddenly be opened by Dec. 27, the group will march down the state highway to the beach.
Here is a link to Cyberpueblo, which has been following this issue: Cyberpueblo Invitation to Day of Camping
The event is in part to draw attention to the ongoing occupation - and destruction - of Tenacatita Beach by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos.
Villalobos seized the bayside of Tenacatita Beach and much of the oceanfront area the morning August 4. Police and security forces brutally evicted the residents - Mexicans and non-Mexicans. As many as 800 persons were forced out a gunpoint.
Villalobos claims he holds a valid court order giving him title to the land and is planning to build a luxury hotel and resort - complete with a golf course, according to published reports.
The evictees, however, are fighting the eviction in court and have staged numerous protests, including marches in Guadalajara. So far, the governor of the state of Jalisco has refused to intervene and is the subject of heavy criticism from members of the government. Guadalajara Reporter story on the governor.
Several times since August 4, groups of people have tried to gain access to the beach only to be rebuffed - sometimes violently. LINK: News media, crowd sprayed with chemicals
Persons walking along the ocean beach are stopped by armed guards too. The guards are using the second story of a home formerly occupied by a non-Mexican citizen, as a lookout tower.
The preliminary plans are for people to gather in Rebalsito and make their way to the beach via a back entrance, which will require crossing some waterways.
Once on the easterly section of the beach - which is not in dispute - the plan is to have people walk west along the shore until they reach the area of Tenacatita Beach formerly occupied by restaurants, hotels, and various businesses.
Should the road suddenly be opened by Dec. 27, the group will march down the state highway to the beach.
Here is a link to Cyberpueblo, which has been following this issue: Cyberpueblo Invitation to Day of Camping
 | |
| Guadalajara Developer Jose Villalobos |
Villalobos seized the bayside of Tenacatita Beach and much of the oceanfront area the morning August 4. Police and security forces brutally evicted the residents - Mexicans and non-Mexicans. As many as 800 persons were forced out a gunpoint.
Villalobos claims he holds a valid court order giving him title to the land and is planning to build a luxury hotel and resort - complete with a golf course, according to published reports.
 |
| Police blocking the state highway in August |
Several times since August 4, groups of people have tried to gain access to the beach only to be rebuffed - sometimes violently. LINK: News media, crowd sprayed with chemicals
Persons walking along the ocean beach are stopped by armed guards too. The guards are using the second story of a home formerly occupied by a non-Mexican citizen, as a lookout tower.
Friday, December 17, 2010
It's official - Tenacatita protest (day of camping) set for December 27
TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The people of Rebalsito and their supporters have made it official that Monday, Dec. 27 will be a day of protest - at the seized Tenacatita Beach.
Juan Frost of Cyberpueblo.com (Cyberpuebo link) sent an email invitation to hundreds of persons who have been supporting the repatriation of Tenacatita Beach and the Tenacatita oceanfront lots seized by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos Aug. 4.
Juan Frost wrote:
"I am writing to invite you to a peaceful picnic at Tenacatita (fully supported by Rebalsito's town leaders) this December 27 at 9 AM starting from the town of Rebalsito. We will be entering Tenacatita through a back way and will be ferrying the public across a narrow stretch of the lagoon in undisputed territory and then march up the beach for a final gathering up by the restaurants. If the beach is open by then we will march up the road. People wishing to arrive by sea can join us. Foreigners who are a little apprehensive can show support by being in the bay with their boats."
In that armed takeover, nearly 800 persons were forcibly evicted from their homes and businesses, given virtually no time to pick up their possessions.
When they were allowed to return several days later, the people reported that homes and businesses had been looted by the State Police and/or security forces and that there was little to reclaim.
The peaceful protest is slated to begin at 9 a.m. in Rebalsito and will involve using boats to cross an undisputed portion of the mangroves to an area of the beach that is also not in dispute.
From there, persons in the demonstration are expected to march onto the disputed area - but only on the beach close to the water that is guaranteed to be accessible to all Mexican citizens by the Mexican constitution.
In the past week, several persons who have walked down the ocean beach - right at the tide line - have been turned back by armed guards and told they were trespassing on private land.
Protest organizers hope to get some attention from Mexican, American and Canadian media. But with the exception of one story published in a number of Canadian newspapers (Vancouver Sun story), non-Mexican media have largely ignored the story.
Juan Frost of Cyberpueblo.com (Cyberpuebo link) sent an email invitation to hundreds of persons who have been supporting the repatriation of Tenacatita Beach and the Tenacatita oceanfront lots seized by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos Aug. 4.
Juan Frost wrote:
"I am writing to invite you to a peaceful picnic at Tenacatita (fully supported by Rebalsito's town leaders) this December 27 at 9 AM starting from the town of Rebalsito. We will be entering Tenacatita through a back way and will be ferrying the public across a narrow stretch of the lagoon in undisputed territory and then march up the beach for a final gathering up by the restaurants. If the beach is open by then we will march up the road. People wishing to arrive by sea can join us. Foreigners who are a little apprehensive can show support by being in the bay with their boats."
In that armed takeover, nearly 800 persons were forcibly evicted from their homes and businesses, given virtually no time to pick up their possessions.
When they were allowed to return several days later, the people reported that homes and businesses had been looted by the State Police and/or security forces and that there was little to reclaim.
 |
| Protest march earlier this year |
From there, persons in the demonstration are expected to march onto the disputed area - but only on the beach close to the water that is guaranteed to be accessible to all Mexican citizens by the Mexican constitution.
In the past week, several persons who have walked down the ocean beach - right at the tide line - have been turned back by armed guards and told they were trespassing on private land.
Protest organizers hope to get some attention from Mexican, American and Canadian media. But with the exception of one story published in a number of Canadian newspapers (Vancouver Sun story), non-Mexican media have largely ignored the story.
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