PBI-Mexico: “We call on the relevant authorities to respond to the requests made by various human rights organisations in light of the threats being received by the community and the family, and regarding the disappearance of José Luis Silva Andrade.”
The Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project has posted on social media:
“We call on the relevant authorities to respond to the requests made by various human rights organisations in light of the threats being received by the community and the family, and regarding the disappearance of José Silva Andrade.
On 15 July 2026, José Luis Silva, brother of human rights defender Rolando Silva Andrade, left his home to investigate the sound of chainsaws in his community’s woodland; this was the last time he was seen by his family.”
On July 30, Espacio OSC, which is accompanied by PBI-Mexico, posted on their website: “The environmental defender of the community of Agua Fría in the area of Los Azufres, in Michoacán, has been missing since July 15, after being held against his will by an armed group. The population and Silva Andrade family continue to receive threats; the reason: the dispossession of the territory of the community of Agua Fría for the exploitation of the pine and oyamel forest.”
Revista ESPEJO has also reported: “This August 15 marks a month without knowing the whereabouts of José Luis. Relatives and the community of Agua Fría, together with activists and organizations such as Services and Advice for Peace (Serapaz), Amnesty International Mexico, Peace Brigades International in Mexico and Front Line Defenders demand and demand the location and appearance alive of the guardian of the forest.”
That article adds: “The organizations Services and Advice for Peace A.C. and Front Line Defenders demand that the FGR initiate an immediate, exhaustive and impartial investigation into the disappearance of human rights defender José Luis Silva Andrade and present the progress of the process and the lines of investigation, in order to guarantee his protection and his return to the community.”
And it further notes: “Regarding the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, they demand that it immediately prioritize, evaluate and incorporate the defenders of the Agua Fría community and immediately safeguard their life, physical integrity and safety.”
We continue to follow this.
