Sunday, September 7, 2025

27 clinics remain closed in Michoacán due to threats against doctors

Over two dozen medical centers in eastern Michoacán remain closed due to threats against medical personnel based on false accounts of intentional transmission of the coronavirus.

The state Health Ministry made the decision to keep the 27 clinics closed after rumors continued to circulate in various communities that medical personnel and National Guard troops had been “spreading coronavirus” and poisoning wells under the guise of fumigation operations.

The citizens blocked highways and roads in the municipalities of Ciudad Hidalgo, Tuxpan and Zitácuaro over the weekend.

Governor Silvano Aueroles opened a dialogue with the protesters on Tuesday, and the misinformed reluctantly removed the barriers.

“Dialogue is the best option. Listening to each other is always the best alternative to violence,” said Aureoles, who also patted himself and his administration on the back, saying that “we showed our faces and always will, even in the most remote corner of Michoacán, wherever the government’s intervention is needed, because we’re a responsible government.

However, despite promises to meet their demands and conduct informational talks in communities to keep residents informed, threats against frontline workers continued to circulate in the region through the week.

The tense atmosphere led the state Health Ministry to keep the medical centers closed to protect doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

Governor Aueroles urged his constituents not to fall victims to rumors and fake news reports that “are detrimental to the provision of medical services … during this pandemic.”

Mistrust of health workers has been high in Mexico during the crisis, leading to a number of instances of harassment and attacks on hospital employees in many states.

Sources: El Financiero (sp), La Razón (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Workers install scaffolding in front of a giant Mexican flag

Mexico’s week in review: Bilateral tension and cooperation on display as Mexico welcomes its new judiciary

2
Other headlines included canceled Mexican Independence celebrations in the US, a new Mexican unicorn startup and a win for jaguar conservation.
train track

Maya Train gets final approval for a new freight terminal in Cancún

0
The green light from the Environment Ministry means land-clearing can begin on the new freight teminal, which will involve removing 260 hectares of jungle.

Threat of US immigration raids forces cancellation of Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day celebration

9
The Trump administration has threatened major anti-immigrant action in Chicago, the city with the third-largest Mexican and Mexican American population in the U.S.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity