Performative Politics at Parícutin Volcano in Michoacán, Mexico (1943–1952)

A volcano emerged from a cornfield in Michoacán, Mexico, on February 20, 1943. Its sudden appearance alarmed residents in surrounding villages and excited outsiders who traveled to the Meseta Purépecha to see the spectacular natural phenomenon. Within the first two years of activity, the residents of two of the towns nearest the volcano had to evacuate before their communities were completely covered with lava. The Mexican government took advantage of the natural disaster to show off generous aid to Indigenous communities and promote an agenda favoring modernization. In recovery from the Mexican Revolution in the mid-twentieth century, the federal government reshaped national policy to focus on modernization. The miraculous birth of a volcano in a remote western village provided the perfect opportunity for national newspapers to tout effective government aid for the seemingly helpless Indigenous communities. What newspaper articles omitted was the tireless work of local leaders to shape the government assistance. Most local advocates already had a platform, while women and non-Spanish speakers had limited opportunities to communicate their ideas widely. Initial government assistance was not formulated with the well-being or culture of the residents in mind, but local highlanders soon realized that the government relied on their compliance. This gave local leaders the power to advocate for their needs.