Cherán

Quick Facts: Who was Cherán?

Subject:

Cherán

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A self-governing indigenous municipality in Michoacán, Mexico, known for its direct democracy.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Cherán (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃe'ɾan]) is a municipality located in the Mexican state of Michoacán, which is situated in the central western portion of Mexico, extending west to the Pacific Shore. Cherán itself lies in the northwestern portion of Michoacán, about 360 km (220 mi) west of Mexico City and approximately 123 km (76 mi) west of the state capital of Morelia; its average elevation is 2,251 metres (7,385 ft) above sea level. The Municipio (municipality) of Cherán is reported to have a population of 16,243, while the Localidad (town) of Cherán is officially accounted to have a population of 12,616, including 5,827 men and 6,787 women. Cherán is one of a contiguous group of eleven Municipios that are demographically denoted as Purépecha. Inhabitants speak the Purépecha language, as well as the local variety of Spanish.

Career & Major Achievements

Cherán is noted for its unique style of government that followed a 2011 civil uprising over local concerns about corruption and crime. The area is now treated as a self-ruling indigenous community, largely free of federal intervention. In his book Crossing Over, Rubén Martínez explains that Cherán means "a place of fear" in the Purépecha language, alluding to its unfriendly landscape of "abrupt, irregular peaks and chasms" which bodes disaster to anyone taking a careless step. Like many other Michoacán communities, Cherán suffered from organized crime, bribed politicians and corrupt police. Kidnappings, extortion, murders, and illegal logging of the local forest—the lifeblood of the community—were part of daily life.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Los Angeles Times provides the background of the 2011 uprising: That was the year that residents, most of them indigenous and poor, waged an insurrection and declared self-rule in hopes of ridding themselves of the ills that plague so much of Mexico: raging violence, corrupt politicians, a toothless justice system and gangs that have expanded from drug smuggling to extortion, kidnapping and illegal logging. In the three years leading up to the uprising, cartels had clear cut about half of the community's almost 60,000 acres; afterwards the community banned logging healthy wood and began a project to regrow native trees. "To defend ourselves," explained a community leader, "we had to change the whole system — out with the political parties, out with City Hall, out with the police and everything. We had to organize our own way of living to survive". Thus, on April 15, 2011 a group of women and men using rocks and fireworks attacked a busload of illegal loggers who were armed with machine guns and associated with the Mexican drug cartel La Familia Michoacana.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2011: 2011 Milestone — Cherán is noted for its unique style of government that followed a 2011 civil uprising over local concerns about corruption and crime.

Notable Quotes by Cherán

“To defend ourselves... we had to change the whole system — out with the political parties, out with City Hall, out with the police and everything.” (2011)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cherán

True or False: “The Purépecha language spoken in Cherán is derived from a word meaning 'place of joy'.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): According to Rubén Martínez, the Purépecha word for Cherán means 'a place of fear', referencing its rugged landscape.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cherán