Two bruised bodies: Who kills Mexico's butterfly guards?
Authorities in the state of Michoacan are investigating the two days-long homicides of activists for the preservation of unique butterflies. One body was found in a well, the other on a hill in a shelter set up to protect the species from deforestation
Two bruised bodies: Who kills Mexico's butterfly guards?
Photo: Reuters, Edit: Amit SimchaTwo environmental activists in Mexico who have been protecting butterfly populations and their habitats have been murdered in recent days. Homicide rates in a Central American country have skyrocketed in recent years, with 2019 also likely breaking a record, with 34,582 cases.
The first victim was Homero Gomez, who operated a royal denim butterfly shelter in Michoacan state and received threats urging him to stop his campaign against the pine and fir deforestation in the area. He disappeared on January 13 and his body was found in a well on January 29. The shelter it operated opened in November as part of a program to stop illegal logging in the area, which is a major habitat of the migratory species. Initially, it was alleged that there were no signs of violence on his body, but an analysis of it revealed that he suffered a blow to the head, before being drowned in the well.
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To the full articleRaul Hernandez's grave yesterday (Photo: Reuters)
The grave of butterfly conservation activist Raul Hernandez killed in Michoacan State, Mexico, February 2, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)
Two days after Gomes's funeral, the body of 44-year-old Raul Hernandez was found missing on Jan. 27. His body was found in the Butterfly Shelter Hill, El Campanario, and investigators said the body was a bruise, and that he had a deep wound to his head.
Many of the killings in Mexico are responsible for drug cartels and criminal organizations that do not take measures against anyone attempting to interfere with their illegal activities, from drug and human trafficking to extortion, deforestation and operating illegal mines.