Institute for International
Cooperation and Development Studies

Mexican human rights defenders Ricardo Arturo Lagunes Gasca and Antonio Díaz Valencia remain missing

Date: 2023 February 22

Human rights defenders Ricardo Arturo Lagunes Gasca and Antonio Díaz Valencia disappeared on January 15 in Cerro de Ortega, Tecomán Municipality, Colima (Mexico).

They were heading in a pickup to the capital of Colima, after participating in a community assembly at the Aquila auditorium in which issues related to the Las Encinas Iron Mine were addressed. On January 15, the pickup they were travelling in was found abandoned and with bullet holes.

More than a month after their disappearance, the lack of progress in this case's investigation is alarming. Despite the urgency of the situation, which has gotten global attention, the Mexican government has not responded to the requests of the statement issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) or to the Urgent Action issued by the United Nations.

Given this case's seriousness, Hegoa has joined the statement of complaint brought on by the National Network of Civil Liberties Organizations «Todos los Derechos para Todas y Todos» - Red TDT.


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