MEXICO CITY (apro).– Rubén Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa, sparked controversy by asking farmers who took over the Culiacán airport to liberate that terminal and better occupy warehouses and facilities of private companies such as Minsa, Gruma and Cargill.
The protesters occupied the air terminal since Tuesday to demand fair prices for grains such as corn and wheat, and to solve marketing problems.
“I make an attentive call to our producers, so that their legitimate fight for fair prices for corn does not affect the rights of the citizens who use the Culiacán airport,” the Morenista governor published on Twitter.
“I have been and I am with you, making a major effort as a government, with the support of the President @lopezobrador_ I invite you to go together to protest against those truly responsible for the waste of your crops: Gruma, Cargill and Minsa. I am your ally and side by side with you, I will demand fair treatment and a fair price for your work”, said Rocha Moya.
According to a note in the newspaper Debate, the governor pointed out that Minsa, Gruma and Cargill are interested in the failure of the marketing program – which includes the withdrawal of two million tons from the market – so that these companies can buy corn at 5 thousand pesos and not the 6 thousand 965 of the guarantee price established in the Mexican Food Security scheme (Segalmex) and the State Government.
In this context, he proposed that the producers who took over the airport channel their protest against the American companies.
“Gruma, Minsa and Cargill are boycotting our program and they are responsible. It is not the president, they are responsible for us having problems selling our corn at a good price.
“And I tell those who protest, and I mean it, more than looking for an appointment with the president, I invite them to locate their plants and go, I go with them, and we are going to take them,” he warned.
According to the Secretary of Public Security of Sinaloa, Cristóbal Castañeda, due to the demonstrations by corn producers at the Culiacán International Airport, 57 flights were canceled, with 7,437 passengers affected. “Let’s hope they free the airport and avoid further damage to third parties,” he tweeted.
“Irresponsible”
Larry Rubin, president of the American Society of Mexico, an organization that supports American companies residing in Mexico, described Rocha Moya’s call as “irresponsible” and called on him to rectify what he described as incitement to crime.
“It is extremely irresponsible that Rubén Rocha, governor of Sinaloa, has suggested an action that is not legal in his state, such as the occupation of warehouses belonging to US companies. These companies comply with their tax obligations, create thousands of jobs, and make investments in Mexico.
“We demand a rectification by the Governor due to this act that clearly incites crime. It is inconceivable that an official in his position would support illegality and crime. We are looking for the governor to explain to him that it would be more appropriate for him to focus on developing his state and attracting more investment, instead of carrying out actions like this that only scare away serious investors who seek to contribute positively to Mexico.
“Governor, it is urgent that we speak. Thank you,” Rubin tweeted.
