The Oaxacan organization Natural Resources Conservation, Research and Use (CIARENA A.C.) denounced that their offices were once again raided. This is the second raid in the last few months, after the home of the organization’s director, Silvia Pérez Yescas, was raided on 27 February and a computer was taken.

This new violation of the woman defender’s security – and that of other CIARENA members – takes place in the context of the constant harassment and death threats Silvia has faced, which is why she was forced her to move from her home town of Santa María Lombardo, in the municipality of San Juan Cotzocón Mixe in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, more than a year ago.

As we mentioned in the alert issued last March, the woman defender named César Pulido Herrera as the presumed perpetrator and mastermind of the threats against her; he is an official of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI) and former municipal agent of María Lombardo. In spite of state and federal authorities knowing the actors and perpetrators of the 27 February break-in and the various direct attacks against Silvia, these continue to be carried out with total impunity.

Silvia Pérez Yescas is widely recognized as a defender of the rights of indigenous women, youth and children. The risk and attacks that she is currently facing began after numerous cases of femicides, sexual assault and physical violence against women were identified through her organization’s work with the communities of the Isthmus, especially in the area of María Lombardo.

It is particularly concerning that the people of Santa María Lombardo are immersed in a context of violence and constant human rights violations. This is the location where Ayuuk women’s rights defender and lawyer Sandra Domínguez was last seen in October 2024; Sandra was found killed months later, in April 2025, in Veracruz.

The National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders in Mexico and IM-Defensoras restate our demand of federal and state authorities that they urgently guarantee the protection of Silvia Pérez Yescas and all CIARENA members; that they diligently investigate the different attacks against them; and an end to the impunity with which her assailants operate.

We call for solidarity with the defender and we hold the Mexican State, at all levels of government, responsible for any new attack against her integrity and security.