**Excerpt:** Erik Saracho, a Mexican environmentalist and journalist, survived an assassination attempt captured on video. He recounts the harrowing experience and highlights the dangers faced by activists in Mexico.
Key Points
– Erik Saracho, an environmentalist, survived an assassination attempt on March 11 in Nayarit, Mexico.
– The attack was recorded on video; Saracho described greeting the assailant before being shot at.
– He activated a panic button provided by the government due to prior threats, but medical help took over 25 minutes to arrive.
– The Jaguar Alliance condemned the attack, demanding an exhaustive investigation into the violence against environmentalists.
– In 2025, a report documented ten activist killings in Mexico, with a total of 199 environmentalists murdered over the past decade.
Background of the Incident
On March 11, Erik Saracho, a dedicated environmentalist and journalist, experienced a life-threatening assassination attempt at his home in Nayarit, Mexico. During a recent press conference held by the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA), Saracho shared his chilling account of the event, recalling how he greeted his assailant with a “good morning” just before the attacker opened fire with a pistol.
Response and Aftermath
Following the attack, Saracho utilized a panic button given to him by the federal government in light of previous threats he had received. Unfortunately, it took over 25 minutes for medical assistance to arrive, yet it was this help that ultimately saved his life.
The state prosecutor’s office released footage of the attack and is offering a reward of 100,000 pesos for information leading to the assailant’s capture. The Jaguar Alliance, an organization focused on the protection of endangered species, condemned the violence and called for an immediate and thorough investigation.
Broader Context of Violence Against Activists
The report presented by CEMDA during the press conference highlighted the increasing violence against environmental activists in Mexico. In 2025 alone, ten activists were killed, with CEMDA recording a total of 135 instances of aggression against such individuals, which include harassment, defamation, and surveillance.
Gustavo Alanis, the executive director of CEMDA, pointed out that state authorities are often involved in these aggressions, with 56.2% of documented threats linked to various governmental bodies. Despite this, the report noted that no state agents were directly implicated in the ten recorded homicides.
Over the past decade, a staggering 199 environmentalists have been murdered in Mexico for their efforts to protect natural resources and ecosystems. As Saracho continues to advocate for the environment, the dangers he faces highlight the urgent need for protections for activists in Mexico.
Leave a Reply