Doctoral Project – Research Proposal in Progress

The relationship between nature, global markets, and infrastructure has shaped local and national politics and development agendas in Oaxaca, one of Mexico's most culturally and environmentally diverse states. In 2019, the federal government announced a substantial investment in mega-projects that would promote economic growth in marginalized regions and move away from neoliberal policies applied for decades. One of the projects is the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor. This multimodal logistical and industrial platform connects the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico through the modernization of the seaports and a railroad built in the 19th century. Focusing on the Corridor I ask, how does this infrastructure project and policy shift create new relationships among local populations, ecosystems, capital, and the state?

This ethnographic project takes place in the seaport of Salina Cruz and nearby areas, where the government is building a new breakwater that will allow the arrival of deep draft ships to the port. This government’s project has raised concerns about its economic and environmental effects on local communities, including artisanal salt producers and fishers.

Image (top): Breakwater under construction in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca.

Map: Relevant locations for my research projects. Isthmus of Tehuantepec and Coast of Oaxaca, Mexico (Image from Google Earth modified by me).