Between the resistance and the oblivion: The indigenous villages in pandemic times in the Low Mountain region of Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

This essay analyzes the impact and community responses to the pandemic COVID-19 in the context of the Lower Mountain of Guerrero, Mexico, that is one of the regions with the most nahuas indigenous communities, which face problems of violence and insecurity and high levels of marginalization and poverty; in addition, these communities have minimal access to health services, circumstances that become more during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted health and the economy of the habitants of these communities. The scene is adverse and has an impact on the daily lives of the most vulnerable habitants. Nonetheless in the most acute stage of the diseases, the nahuas implemented some mechanisms of resistance such as closing their territories, using their traditional medicine knowledge and the mutual support between neighbors and friends, among others. Thereby, the Indigenous people face another stage of their long history of resistance.