Two land defenders killed in Michoacán, Mexico. Amos Trust’s Climate Fellows demand justice for Roberto Chávez and Lázaro Mendoza, and effective protection for all those defending land and life.

Roberto Chávez — land defender killed 13th April 2026
A demand for justice from Amos Trust’s Climate Fellows in Mexico and Central America.

On Sunday 13th April, Roberto Chávez was killed in El Terranate, a community in Eutúcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico. He was defending his forests and the water sources they contain against the expansion of avocado monocultures, and the illegal logging and depletion of groundwater springs that go with this.

The Mexican Centre for Environmental Law (CEMDA) reported that at least 25 land defenders were killed in Mexico in 2024.

Roberto had received threats from the organised criminal gangs responsible for this deforestation and was preparing to file a formal complaint with the State Attorney General’s Office of Michoacán.

We have heard how in regions such as Michoacán, large areas of forest are being cleared to plant avocado and soft fruit monocultures. These crops offer only short-term benefits, require vast amounts of water, dry up natural springs and affect the lives of local communities.

We, as women land defenders from Mexico and Central America, are working with our communities to confront these activities and to challenge all those who prioritise profit over life.

We, the Amos Trust Climate Fellowship, call for justice for Roberto Chávez, a thorough investigation that holds all those responsible to account, and effective protection for land defenders.

Defending life should not mean risking it.

Amos Trust Climate Fellowship
20th April 2026

Update

On Saturday 18th April, the remains of a second land defender from Michoacán were identified. Lázaro Mendoza had been missing since Tuesday. His burned body was confirmed through DNA testing.

Lázaro was defending his land, forests and water in the same context as Roberto Chávez.

These killings are not isolated incidents. We demand justice for Roberto and Lázaro, and effective protection mechanisms for land defenders.

“At Amos Trust we are proud to stand with land defenders and climate activists from Mexico and Central America who risk their lives to defend their environment. We send our condolences to Roberto’s and Lázaro’s families at this time of acute loss.

We echo the calls of the Climate Fellowship and demand justice for Roberto and Lázaro. We also call for effective protection for the land and for all those who risk their lives to ensure it is not deforested and exploited for short-term financial gain at the cost of their communities’ future.” Chris Rose — Director, Amos Trust