Mexican Environmentalist Survives Assassination Attempt, Highlighting Dangers Faced by Activists
A defender of Mexican jaguars who survived an assassination attempt in March was described as a “living miracle” during the presentation of a report that documented the killing of 10 activists in the country in 2025. The report, released by the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA), sheds light on the dangers faced by environmental activists in Mexico, particularly those from indigenous communities.
The drug war violence convulsing Mexico also takes a toll on environmental activists, many of whom are fighting to protect the country’s rich biodiversity. Mexico is considered “megadiverse” due to its variety of species and ecosystems, making it a critical location for conservation efforts. The report highlights the need for greater protection and support for environmental activists, who often face threats and violence in their work.
Personal Account of the Attack
Erik Saracho, the activist and journalist who survived the assassination attempt, recounted the armed attack he suffered on March 11 at his home in the western Mexican state of Nayarit. “I told the hitman ‘good morning,'” he recalled, “and at that moment he opened fire with a pistol.” Saracho, who is also the director of the Jaguar Alliance, a civil organization dedicated to protecting the endangered feline, said he pressed the panic button given to him by the federal government due to previous threats.
Over 25 minutes passed before Saracho received the medical help that saved his life. The state prosecutor’s office released video of the alleged attack and offered a reward of 100,000 pesos for information. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for greater action to protect environmental activists in Mexico.
Condemnation and Calls for Action
In a statement posted to social media, the Jaguar Alliance condemned the attack and demanded an “immediate, exhaustive, and transparent investigation.” The group wrote, “He is someone who—apparently due to his commitment to civic engagement and the protection of our region’s natural heritage—has become an inconvenient target, a reality that, as a society, we neither should nor can accept.”
Beyond the 10 killings, CEMDA recorded 135 “aggressions,” ranging from cases of “stigmatization” and “defamation” to “robbery” and “surveillance.” Gustavo Alanis, executive director of CEMDA, said that the Mexican state is “the primary perpetrator of aggressions” against environmental activists. According to the report, an array of federal, state, and municipal authorities participated in the 76 cases of aggression — 56.2% of the documented threats.
Environmental Activism in Mexico: A Deadly Pursuit
According to CEMDA, over the past decade, 199 environmentalists have been murdered in Mexico in relation to their defense of natural resources and ecosystems. The report highlights the need for greater protection and support for environmental activists, who often face threats and violence in their work. The Mexican government must take immediate action to address the root causes of these aggressions and ensure the safety of environmental activists.
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