The right to political autonomy in the indigenous peoples of Latin America

Abstract

The article specifies and focuses on the meaning and scope of political autonomy in the indigenous peoples of Latin America, considering if this autonomy means independence with respect to the State or an area of self-governance inside the State. Within the context of autonomy as self-governance, the character, skills or facets and levels of this right to political autonomy are analysed. It continues by way of example with reference to autonomy in the indigenous communities of Chiapas. It concludes with the need for an agreement between the indigenous peoples and the State, from which the consideration of indigenous peoples as collective subjects with full rights is derived.