Activist Erik Saracho, a defender of Mexican jaguars, was described as a “living miracle” during the presentation of a report documenting the killing of 10 activists in the country in 2025. The drug war violence in Mexico also impacts environmental activists, many from indigenous communities, with the country being considered “megadiverse” for its variety of species and ecosystems.
Saracho recounted surviving an armed attack at his home in Nayarit on March 11. After pressing a panic button provided by the federal government due to previous threats, he waited over 25 minutes before receiving medical help that saved his life. The state prosecutor’s office released video footage of the alleged attack and offered a reward for information.
The Jaguar Alliance condemned the attack and demanded an “immediate, exhaustive, and transparent investigation.” They stated that Saracho, committed to civic engagement and protecting natural heritage, has become an inconvenient target—a reality society should not accept. Beyond 10 killings, CEMDA recorded 135 “aggressions,” including stigmatization, defamation, robbery, and surveillance.
Gustavo Alanis, executive director of CEMDA, said the Mexican state is the primary perpetrator of aggressions against environmental activists. Federal, state, and municipal authorities participated in 76 cases of aggression—56.2% of documented threats—but were not involved in any of the 10 registered homicides. Over the past decade, 199 environmentalists have been murdered in Mexico due to their defense of natural resources and ecosystems.