Quintana Roo’s Rising Threats to Environmental Activists

Quintana Roo, Mexico — A report by the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (Cemda) has ranked Quintana Roo as the fourth state in Mexico with the highest number of attacks against environmental rights defenders in 2024. The state recorded 19 documented cases of aggression against activists advocating for ecological human rights, including the constitutional and internationally recognized right to a healthy environment.

Intimidation, Threats, and Legal Harassment

The documented aggressions included intimidation, defamation, threats, theft, physical injuries, and other crimes linked to environmental defense efforts. Quintana Roo trailed behind Oaxaca, which reported 42 cases; Chiapas with 32; and Mexico City with 29. In some of these states, the severity escalated to homicides against environmental defenders, according to Cemda.

In Quintana Roo, attacks frequently occurred when activists intervened against large-scale federal projects, such as the Tren Maya, and expansive real estate developments. Many of these cases involved allegations of missing or dubiously issued environmental permits.

High-Profile Cases Highlighted

The report cited the criminalization of lawyer Pablo Andrei Zamudio, who filed lawsuits against tourism developments in Cancún over potential environmental harm. Following his legal actions, Zamudio faced civil and criminal proceedings that led to his imprisonment in 2024. Judicial records indicate he was later released without conviction.

Another prominent case involved José Urbina Bravo, founder of Sélvame del Tren, a group opposing the Tren Maya project. Despite intimidation—often allegedly from officials—Urbina Bravo affirmed his commitment to defending Quintana Roo’s ecosystems.

“These are responsible citizens who see wrongdoing and refuse to stay silent. They raise their voices and take action,” Urbina Bravo stated.

Mexico’s Dangerous Landscape for Environmental Defenders

Nationwide, Cemda documented 236 attacks against environmental activists in 2024, reinforcing Mexico’s reputation as one of the most perilous countries for ecological advocacy. The report underscores ongoing risks faced by those defending natural resources amid large-scale infrastructure and development projects.