Villahermosa Ecocide Protest: Residents Fight Museum Plan

Villahermosa Residents Protest Potential Ecocide at La Venta Park Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico – Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Villahermosa on Saturday, June 8th, 2025, to voice their outrage against a planned government project to build a new museum within the historic Parque Museo La Venta. The project, announced by state officials and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), includes the removal of the park's existing zoo. Protesters carried signs with slogans such as "Preserve the trees and the colossal Olmec heads that have survived for 3,200 years." One speaker, using a megaphone, stated, "We are not against the Olmec National Museum; what we reject is that they build it on a site of such ecological and historical value as the current La Venta Park." The protest underscores deep-seated concerns about the potential for ecocide and the lack of transparency surrounding the project. The video footage clearly shows the scale of the demonstration and the intensity of the public's opposition. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of community engagement in preserving cultural heritage and protecting the environment. Further investigation is needed to understand the government's plans and the potential impact on the park and its inhabitants.