A statement from the Fidencio Aldama Support Group announcing an end to its activities.

This past October 27 marked eight years since the detention of the Yaqui ex-political prisoner Fidencio Aldama. This year we marked the date under a different set of circumstances, delighted by his recently achieved freedom, unsure of what the future may hold.

Fidencio was released from prison in Ciudad Obregón on July 14, 2023, during ongoing dialogues between the federal government and the Yaqui Tribe. Fidencio’s freedom was the first of a long list of demands made by the traditional authorities of Loma de Bácum in relation to the Yaqui Justice Plan being pushed by the Federal Government.

Proving the arbitrariness of Fidencio’s detention, and the capacity of the government to do whatever serves their interests in that particular moment, Fidencio was released with the snap of a finger, beneath uncertain legal terms which still have not been made clear. As of now he has not had to report to prison in the evenings or during the weekends. He remains free and in good spirits.

We are grateful for the authorities of Loma de Bácum for positioning Fidencio’s freedom as a pivotal demand of the Yaqui Tribe. We are also grateful for the continued resistance of the Yaqui people, in defense of their territories and forms of being, against the plundered, depleted, unlivable world brought by capital. We believe enough in Indigenous autonomy and self-determination to respect the forms of organization and struggle the authorities of the tribe have chosen in this particular instance, although we might not share the same enthusiasm for the tactics.

We want to thank the legal collective, Los Otros Abogadoz, and particularly the lawyer and compañero, Roberto Miguel López, for years of dedication to Fidencio’s case; for fervently fighting state repression and political imprisonment in a variety of different legal cases, often amidst the most adverse of circumstances.

We also want to thank everyone throughout so-called Mexico and around the world, who showed their solidarity in its many manifestations: organizing events, making art, banners, graphics, painting the streets with graffiti, writing letters, marching at protests, giving coverage in independent media, making solidarity radio, donating money, etc. You’ve all made it clear once again, solidarity is one of our most potent weapons.

For now, we end this chapter as an active solidarity group. Yet we encourage you all to remain attentive to the case of Fidencio Aldama and to the struggles of the Yaqui people more generally.

Unconditional freedom for Fidencio Aldama!
Freedom for all those imprisoned and persecuted!
Autonomy for Indigenous peoples!
Solidarity with Miguel Peralta!

Fidencio Aldama Support Group