Protests Worked Just Fine
Community organizations and residents have successfully halted a real estate group’s attempt to close access to a vital beach. This victory comes amid an ongoing public consultation initiated by residents of the El Manglito neighborhood, who stand to lose a beach that has sustained their economy for five generations, particularly during times of declining fishing productivity.
During storm and hurricane seasons, La Posada Beach is essential for subsistence fishing, especially for shrimp harvesters. Beyond its economic role, the beach is a cultural hub for both El Manglito residents and the wider La Paz community.
This significance was overlooked by Narciso Agundez, one of the project’s key government proponents. However, after a reprimand from Governor Víctor Castro, who assured the public that no state agency would approve the pier’s construction, Agundez was forced to reconsider his stance.
Public protests erupted after SEMARNAT (Mexico’s environmental ministry) announced it would assess the project’s environmental viability. In response, the “El Manglito-Inalámbrica” Neighborhood Committee held a press conference to voice opposition. The BCSicletos organization also hosted a screening of Patrimonio (Heritage) at the beach, a documentary about an attempted land grab in Todos Santos, reinforcing the power of community resistance.
Although the pier project has been halted for now, the company behind Al Mar Residencial still holds a questionable concession title for 3,241 m² (34,886 ft²) of beachfront land. This concession, improperly granted by Agundez, extends between the proposed pier, the federal maritime zone, and the residential complex. Private developers have long used such concessions to encroach on public beaches, just as Hotel Marea has been accused of doing with government backing.
If this company retains its concession, the fight isn’t over. Authorities must implement safeguards to ensure La Posada Beach remains public for all La Paz residents.
A local community member summed it up best:
“Let them never tell us that neighborhood struggle, protest, and unity don’t work. Today, with the cancellation of the environmental impact assessment, we take another step toward preserving free beach access. We’ve shown that even with money and influence, they can’t always get what they want.”