Karina Ruíz Ocampo, a woman defender of the right to water who was disappeared since 13 April after unknown persons entered her home and took her by force, was found dead on Saturday 3 May in the municipality of Amatitan, Jalisco. Karina was part of the organization La Cima Nuestra Prioridad and she defended the right to water in the La Cima subdivision in El Arenal, where she lived.

Karina had received constant threats through social media due to her work defending rights, and she feared for her safety. Her last participation in a public protest was on 23 March 2025.

Karina led the defense of the right to water in her subdivision, where there was a water shortage since 2012 due to a debt that the construction company had with the Federal Electricity Commission. Since then, Karina and the organization La Cima Nuestra Prioridad had organized several mobilizations and live feeds in social media, making demands and denouncing the responsible authorities and companies.

The National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders in Mexico and IM-Defensoras embrace Karina’s family and close circle, joining in the pain and indignation for her loss. We also recognize the vital work of the family and residents of the La Cima subdivision who came together to find her and disseminate the information sheet regarding her search.

Finally, we demand that the authorities investigate the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the woman defender, taking into account her work defending human rights as a key factor in the investigation.