Shocking: 100+ Environmental Activists Killed During AMLO’s Reign

Since the start of Andrés Manuel López Obrador's presidency on December 1, 2018, the Mexican Center of Environmental Law (Cemda) has reported 102 murders of environmental activists. Itzel Arteaga, a representative from Cemda, shared these statistics during a forum on the situation of environmental defenders held in Toluca de Lerdo, State of Mexico.

In 2018, there were 21 fatal attacks on environmentalists. This number declined to 15 in 2019, but rose to 18 in 2020 and 25 in 2021, before slightly decreasing to 24 in 2022. Last year, a total of 123 attacks were reported, 20 of which were fatal. Arteaga noted that 2022 saw the most recorded attacks, though 2017 still holds the record for the highest number of deaths since Cemda began tracking this data.

According to Global Witness, these figures place Mexico alongside Colombia and Brazil as one of the most dangerous countries for environmental activists. The forum, organized by the Zeferino Ladrillero Human Rights Center (CDHZL), also discussed the environmental and community impacts of major projects like the Mayan Train and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Inter-Oceanic Corridor.

Beatriz García, a state delegate from the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), defended these projects, arguing that they will stimulate economic development in southern Mexico. However, Felipe Romero, Human Rights Manager at Cemda, highlighted that most cases of stigmatization against environmentalists occur in the southern region where these projects are being implemented.

Participants at the forum urged the incoming Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, to address several outstanding environmental issues, including water management, protection of activists, and the execution of major projects while respecting community rights.

Mario Cardozo, an activist and lawyer, suggested a comprehensive approach to guarantee the rights of activists, focusing on protection and prevention of potential persecutions. Antonio Lara, Director of CDHZL, pledged to continue advocating for positive change. "We are tired of being offered jail and death instead of dignity, freedom and life. We are not willing to accept it and we will continue to organize ourselves," he stated.