Mexican authorities were searching Thursday for two missing human rights defenders whose bullet-riddled vehicle was found abandoned, officials said, following an urgent appeal by the United Nations to find them.

Ricardo Lagunes, a lawyer, and Antonio Diaz, a professor, went missing in Michoacan state on Sunday after attending a community meeting.

Michoacan, on central Mexico's west coast, is home to a contentious iron ore mine.

The men told their relatives that they were returning home but were not heard from again, the Michoacan prosecutor's office said in a statement.

On Sunday night, police in the neighboring state of Colima found their truck damaged by gunfire, it said, adding that security forces and police dogs were searching for them.

The Mexican office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued "an urgent call" for authorities to find the activists safe, adding that at least one of the men was supposed to be under state protection.

"It's unacceptable that those who defend our rights have to do so at the cost of their freedom, their integrity or their lives," the UN agency said.

Mexico is considered one of the world's most dangerous countries for human rights defenders, particularly those involved in disputes over land and mining.

In 2021, 54 environmental activists were killed in the Latin American nation, the most in the world, and impunity "remains rife," according to the London-based watchdog Global Witness.

Related Links
21st Century Pirates

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Latin American cocaine cartels bring violence to Europe
Paris (AFP) Jan 16, 2023
"Seventy euros for one, 120 for two," said the cocaine dealer as the young woman opened her door on Paris' chic Left Bank. "I'm like all the delivery riders speeding around Paris dropping off sushi and groceries," he smiled. "I get orders and I deliver them." Getting cocaine in many of Europe's big cities is now as easy as ordering a pizza. Twenty or so minutes after you place your order by WhatsApp or Signal, a dealer can be at your door. "Consumers prefer to go on a platform and have ... read more