Environmental activist murdered in Tabasco, Mexico

The environmentalist and manager for the preservation of the Yucatan black howler monkey José Luis Álvarez Flores , was found murdered on the Emiliano Zapata highway near Palenque, in Chiapas.

According to police reports, the 64-year-old environmentalist was found dead with bullet wounds in different parts of his body. A card with threats to the victim’s family was also found at the crime scene.

Statements from his colleagues indicate that he had received a death threat one week before for denouncing the illegal extraction of sand from the Usumacinta river, the most important affluent in the area. However, no suspects were identified.

Miguel Pérez, chairman of all Environmental Management Units in Tabasco, confirmed the story, assuring that they had even asked local authorities to provide special protection for José Luis Alvarez Flores , a well-known ecologist from Chiapas, where he became famous for his efforts in environmental and animal protection.

“He had already received threats. He asked the authorities for protection and they ignored his request. We will make a public pronouncement on this. Jorge was a great person and he was fully committed to the preservation of the black howler monkey,” he claimed.

“His murder was a cowardly act. We demand justice and ask that his family receive protection, as well as another two environmentalists who were also threatened. Authorities need to address this issue,” he stressed.

José Luis Álvarez Flores was born in the Emiliano Zapata municipality . For more than 10 years, he has worked for the preservation of the Yucatán black howler monkey. The environmentalist community demands justice and we ask that the culprits be brought to justice.”

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