The Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project has posted on social media:
“March 19 is a day of sadness, remembrance and resistance for women human rights defenders in Michoacán. Today we stand in solidarity with the Human Rights Solidarity Network on the second anniversary of the disappearance of environmental defender Jose Gabriel Pelayo and their call for justice in Morelia.
We express our concern about the risks faced by indigenous communities defending their land.
Accompanying @redsolidaria.dh”
PBI-Mexico also posted on social media:
“Environmental leader and defender José Gabriel Pelayo has been missing for two years. From @PBI_Mexico, we accompany @redsolidariaDH, who support his family, in their demands for justice and the safe return of the defender.
We call for the strengthening of protection measures for people and communities defending land and territory in the state of Michoacán and for the implementation of specific protocols for the investigation of the disappearance of human rights defenders.”
José Gabriel Pelayo
José Gabriel Pelayo Zalgado, 49, is an environmental activist and rural teacher who has been a member of the Popular Council of Chinicuila for three decades. He has been missing since March 19, 2024.
Joint Statement
In a statement issued today, human rights organizations state: “The Mexican State has failed to locate José Gabriel Pelayo and to deliver results in its investigation of the disappearance. This absence of justice is a serious violation of the rights of his family and community. The case of José Gabriel Pelayo adds to the persistent impunity in the disappearance cases of Ricardo Lagunes and Antonio Díaz in January 20231 as well as the murder of Eustacio Alcalá Díaz in April 2023.
Their demands of the Mexican State include: “An immediate and effective search for José Gabriel Pelayo, with the active involvement of his family and full access to information regarding the progress of the investigation.”
Canadian mining companies in Michoacán
Animal Politico has reported that Pelayo was threatened by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) before being disappeared.
EL PAÍS América has also reported: “The indigenous peoples of Michoacán have faced collusion between companies, organized crime and the government, according to the organization Peace Brigades International (PBI), organizer of the meeting in Madrid in which [María Eugenia Gabriel Ruiz is an Indigenous Purhépecha lawyer and member of the Human Rights Solidarity Network] participated.”
That article further highlighted: “14.61% of the state’s surface is exploited by 12 national and six foreign mining companies, according to official figures from 2018.”
That official report from the Mexican Geological Service (SGM), an agency of the Mexican government, lists addresses of 18 “companies exploring in the state – metallics” (see pages 24-25). That chart shows that 5 of the 6 foreign mining companies have addresses in Canada: Catalyst Cooper Corp., Terra Nova Gold Corp., Fischer Watt Gold Company Inc., Rome Resources LTD-IMMSA and Candente Gold Corp. The sixth foreign company listed in that chart, Silver Shield Resources Corp., is based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada (the chart just does not provide an address for the company).
Accompaniment
The Human Rights Solidarity Network (Red Solidaria DH) is accompanied by the Peace Brigades International (PBI).
Further reading
– PBI-Mexico accompanies the Human Rights Solidarity Network at the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office on Forced Disappearance (March 20, 2025)
– PBI-Mexico accompanies Red Solidaria DH at cultural rally in Morelia for disappeared environmental defender José Gabriel Pelayo (February 13, 2025)
– PBI-Mexico amplifies Red Solidaria DH concern about disappeared environmental defender José Gabriel Pelayo Zalgado (January 28, 2025).
