El Obse, made up of more than 20 local organizations seeking to document and expose attacks against human rights and territorial defenders in the state of Chiapas, denounced the use of surveillance technologies by both the State and criminal groups.
In its report, El Obse denounced the following trends and concerns: the expansion of megaprojects and their associated socio-environmental conflicts; the increase in gender-based violence; more restrictive immigration policies; human rights violations against migrants; and the militarization of the territory.
As well as the use of surveillance technologies by both the State and criminal groups, there is criminalization of social protest; and the stigmatization of youth, particularly indigenous peoples. Added to this is forced displacement without dignified conditions for return, attacks on journalists, and persistent impunity for violations committed by security forces. It should be noted that El Obse represents a collective effort to articulate a response to the rising violence in Chiapas. It arose from the urgent need to expose attacks against human rights defenders in a context where silence and impunity prevail.
Surveillance Networks
A week ago, the State Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security carried out an operation to remove illegal surveillance cameras in the municipality of Suchiate.
The equipment was removed from various points in the city, such as the Municipal Palace and strategic commercial locations. The cameras were made available to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, who may determine the appropriate course of action.
In January, the same authorities dismantled an organized crime operations center, disabling 30 video surveillance cameras installed at various strategic locations in the municipalities of Frontera Hidalgo and Suchiate.
The inter-institutional group dismantled 27 cameras installed on poles similar to those used by the C5 Urban Shield, located in various areas of the Frontera Hidalgo municipal seat.
On January 27th, the Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) successfully dismantled video surveillance cameras in Teopisca. During the operation, five locations where these devices were installed were dismantled. Nine video surveillance cameras, three modems, fiber optic cabling, and power batteries were seized.
Original article by Andrés Dominguéz, Chiapas Paralelo, June 17th, 2025.
Translated by Schools for Chiapas.