SITUACIÓN DE DEFENSORES Y DEFENSORAS DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE EN MESOAMÉRICA

The briefing details a systemic pattern of violence, criminalization, and state neglect targeting environmental defenders in Mesoamerica, specifically those opposing mining projects. Testimonies from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Panama highlight a recurring cycle where high metal prices and trade agreements drive mining expansion, while weak regulatory frameworks and state complicity lead to the murder, disappearance, and harassment of activists. The document argues that states often fail to investigate crimes or protect defenders, instead using the legal system to criminalize protest and ignore the right to free, prior, and informed consent of affected communities.

• There is a regional pattern of increasing violence against environmental defenders who oppose the mining industry, characterized by murders, kidnappings, torture, arbitrary detentions, and property damage.
• Mining expansion in the region is driven by high international metal prices and the implementation of free trade and foreign investment protection treaties.
• States in the region lack adequate legislative measures to protect human rights affected by mining, specifically failing to implement processes for free, prior, and informed consent and maintaining weak environmental monitoring.
• In Mexico, the state is accused of systematically violating international treaties and using criminalization to silence environmental defenders, including the use of 'arraigo' (preventive detention) and the failure to investigate crimes.
• In Guatemala, the state has granted over 400 mining licenses without community consent, leading to severe environmental impacts and the persecution of defenders, such as the attack on Diodora Hernandes who lost an eye.
• In Honduras, the 1998 Mining Law is described as granting privileges to companies that violate the Constitution, while the post-2009 coup environment has increased the vulnerability of defenders and fostered impunity.
• In El Salvador, environmental defenders opposing metallic mining have faced disappearances and murders, including the case of Gustavo Marcelo Rivera Moreno and the killing of Dora Sorto and Ramiro Rivera Gómez with M-16 rifles.
• Panama has created a negative environment for defenders through laws that criminalize social protest (Law 14) and make environmental impact studies optional (Law 30), while promoting foreign investment in mining.

APA

Orellana, M. A. (2010). SITUACIÓN DE DEFENSORES Y DEFENSORAS DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE EN MESOAMÉRICA. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IACHR_Testimonies_Oct10.pdf

Chicago

Orellana, Marcos A. SITUACIÓN DE DEFENSORES Y DEFENSORAS DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE EN MESOAMÉRICA. Center for International Environmental Law, 2010. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IACHR_Testimonies_Oct10.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Orellana |first1=Marcos A. |title=SITUACIÓN DE DEFENSORES Y DEFENSORAS DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE EN MESOAMÉRICA |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=25 October 2010 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IACHR_Testimonies_Oct10.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{orellana2010situacin, author = {Orellana, Marcos A.}, title = {{SITUACIÓN DE DEFENSORES Y DEFENSORAS DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE EN MESOAMÉRICA}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2010}, month = oct, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IACHR_Testimonies_Oct10.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }