The delegation also visited Moises Ghandi, another support community under siege in the low intensity war being waged by the government and paramilitary forces in the area. As was the case in Amador Hernandez, Mexican authorities summarily announced in late August that they intend to build a new road through Moises Ghandi, a community which up until now has been at the "end of the road." The residents of the community told our delegation that they are strongly opposed to the road being built because they fear that it's primary purpose is to close a loop around other support-base communities and to further extend military control into the area.

When the government first tried to move a road building crew into Moises Ghandi, they were met by a determined group of women who defended the entrance to their community by blockading the road with their bodies. After an extended stalemate, the women maintained their refusal to move, so the army temporarily retreated. However, the authorities promised to return soon and to oversee the construction of the road through the area. To this day, rotating groups of community members wait apprehensively at the entrance to Moises Ghandi, ready to defend their community against what they see as an unwanted military incursion.

Meanwhile, the only road leading up to Moises, passes through a permanent Mexican army encampment, which has barbed wire barricades and checkpoints within a few feet of the roadway. Our delegation had to pass through this camp and checkpoint on both our way into and out of Moises Ghandi. It is indeed a chilling reminder of just how forcefully the Mexican army is making its presence felt in the area to pass through such an armed gauntlet.