In Colombia, Mexico participates in 'Promoting Implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the Peace Agreement in Chocó'

In Colombia, Mexico participates in "Promoting Implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the Peace Agreement in Chocó"

• The Mexican Government discussed the experience, methodology, and results of the Yaqui Justice Plan to support Colombia's peace process
• Yaqui traditional authorities said the Mexican Government is demonstrating the principle that peace stems from justice, and urged increased efforts

The Mexican Government supported an event led by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, "Promoting Implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the Peace Agreement in Chocó."

At the meeting, the Mexican Government offered its support for the Colombian Government's actions to advance the ethnic chapter of the 2016 Peace Agreement, as agreed by Presidents Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Gustavo Petro Urrego in November 2022.

Key stakeholders, including government agencies, multilateral organizations, and ethnic groups outlined specific commitments to achieve significant progress in the regions for each component of the chapter. Recognizing the importance of local engagement, they also agreed to hold five regional meetings to encourage direct dialogue with communities.

Mexico's Ambassador to Colombia, Martha Patricia Ruiz Anchondo, attended the inauguration, together with Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, Coordinator of Indigenous Rights at the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), and Yaqui traditional authorities Crisóforo Valenzuela Ahumanda and Julián Molina Martínez.

Mr. Aguilar Ortiz highlighted Mexico's strategies and public actions to uphold indigenous rights. He presented successful justice plans that address historical grievances. These initiatives involve traditional authorities that engage in their own forms of governance and decision-making, with the aim of enhancing regional community living conditions.

The shared experiences of INPI and the Yaqui leaders contributed valuable insights, helping to formulate strategies at the event for improved coordination between state and ethnic-territorial authorities in implementing the ethnic chapter in the Chocó department. The dialogue encouraged a broad exchange of knowledge among indigenous peoples and communities.

The forum was also attended by Colombia's Vice Presidency, the Chocó Government, the Chocó Inter-Ethnic Solidarity Forum (FISCH), and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.