The Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project has posted on social media:
“Today [April 16] we were accompanying the presentation of the annual report by @CEMDA [the Mexican Center for Environmental Law] on the situation of people and communities defending environmental human rights in Mexico during 2025.
Among other data, the states with lethal aggressions were highlighted, such as Morelos, Puebla, and Michoacán, as well as the increase in aggression events and specific aggressions compared to the previous year, rising from 94 events and 236 specific aggressions to 235 and 314, respectively.
@CEMDA and its annual report are essential for understanding the reality faced by people and communities defending rights and the environment in Mexico.
You can consult it here.”
La Jornada reports: “During 2025, ten murders of environmentalists and land defenders were recorded in Mexico – the previous year 25 cases were reported. Of these, three occurred in Jalisco, two in Oaxaca, one in Morelos, as well as in Michoacán, Guerrero and Puebla, according to a report by the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA). However, Gustavo Alanís, executive director of this organization, indicated that 2025 is the second year with the most attacks against defenders only below 2022, since he mentioned that there are not only lethal attacks in the country.”
Among those killed in 2025 (CEMDA image).
Agence France-Press notes: “In addition to the 10 murders, CEMDA recorded 135 ‘aggression events,’ ranging from cases of ‘stigmatization’ and ‘defamation’ to ‘theft’ or ‘espionage.’ Gustavo Alanís, executive director of CEMDA, said that the Mexican State is ‘the main perpetrator of aggressions against defenders.’ According to the report, various federal, state or municipal authorities participated in 76 cases of aggression, which corresponds to 56.2% of the total documented.”
Strengthening the Protection Mechanism
Infobae also reports: “In cumulative terms, in the last eleven years 199 defenders have been murdered in the country.”
That article notes: “Faced with this scenario, CEMDA urged the authorities to combat impunity, eradicate stigmatization against activists and strengthen the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists.”
La Jornada also highlights: “One of the cases of aggression so far in 2026 is that of Erick Saracho, director of Alianza Jaguar, who survived gunshot wounds. He pointed out that despite belonging to the Protection Mechanism, ‘I had to press the button several times and call on other occasions because after 25 minutes of the attack the ambulance did not arrive.’ Now, he and his family had to changhotheir residence and leave the country as a protective measure.”
PBI-Canada supports call to strengthen Protection Mechanism
On March 27, 2026, PBI-Canada alongside the Americas Policy Group (APG) met on this issue with representatives from the Mexico and Trilateral Affairs Division of Global Affairs Canada, as well as the Human Rights and Freedoms Division, and the Embassy of Canada in Mexico.
The upcoming Canada-Mexico Dialogue in May 2026
We look forward to continuing to provide input for the upcoming Canada-Mexico Dialogue on Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs expected to take place in late-May in Ottawa. The thematic issues to be discussed include freedom of expression, media freedom and rights in the digital space, the theme under which the Protection Mechanism is expected to be discussed by the two countries.
We are now planning a second webinar with PBI-Mexico and Espacio OSC in advance of the Canada-Mexico Dialogue on Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs.
Additional reading: Espacio OSC and Consorcio Oaxaca launch “Proteger La Dignidad” campaign in Oaxaca with call to strengthen Protection Mechanism (PBI-Canada article, April 13, 2026).
