Environmentalist Adam Vez Lira was killed on the afternoon of this April 8 on the road from La Mancha to Palmas de Abajo, in Veracruz. The Attorney General’s Office of the State of Veracruz confirmed the killing and explained that an investigation folder was initiated in the regional prosecutor’s office downtown area of Xalapa.
Read more Tragic week for activism in Mexico: three killed in Guanajuato, Morelos and Zacatecas
The environmentalist had been dedicated to the defense of the territory and bird observatory in La Mancha, Veracruz, for more than two decades. He participated in the cooperative La Mancha en Movimiento.
Four days ago the 2020 La Mancha Festival was to have been held, but the contingency by COVID-19 forced the suspension of the events, as reported by the victim himself on his Facebook profile.
The news has impacted environmental advocacy organizations such as Pronatura AC, which he said on his Twitter account: “We deeply regret the murder of our friend and colleague Adam Once Lira. His absence will leave an immense hole. Adam, we’re going to miss you; you will take much need to continue to promote the care of nature; continue to dream together and build a better world.”
Environmental organizations demand justice for the murder of Adam Vez Lira! pic.twitter.com/KPzOhkZLEf
— THE LIFE or THE MINA (@VIDAoMINA) April 9, 2020
You may be interested: In 2019 at least 21 environmentalists were killed in Mexico, according to the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (Cemda)
In recent months Homero Gómez, defender of the monarch butterfly in Michoacán, was killed, and in March, Isaac Medardo Herrera Avilés, lawyer and defender in Morelos.
? We deeply regret that the defender of land and territory, Adam Vez Lira, has been found lifeless.
We stand in solidarity with their families and friends.
We demand that your advocacy work be one of the main lines of inquiry!
— Amnesty Int. Mexico (@AIMexico) April 9, 2020
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