Eugui Eduardo Roy, a 21-year-old Zapotec environmentalist, was murdered on May 7, 2020, on a ranch in San Agustín Loxicha, Oaxaca, while protecting the species he studied: reptiles and amphibians. Five years after his tragic murder, his family and collectives in Oaxaca continue demanding justice, highlighting that the Oaxacan spring has not yet arrived.
Roy, a Biology student at the Technological Institute of the Valley of Oaxaca, was dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity, especially reptiles and amphibians, and advocated for the preservation of natural resources in San Agustín Loxicha. His sister, Rosalinda Roy, criticized the lack of progress in the investigation of the case by the Oaxaca Attorney General's Office, arguing that after five years, no concrete results have been obtained.
At a demonstration in front of the state government palace, the Roy family denounced the inaction of the authorities and the impunity surrounding Eugui Roy's murder case. They highlighted that the lack of progress in the investigations and the apparent disappearance of those responsible refer to bureaucratic practices that perpetuate impunity and remind of dark times.
The situation in Oaxaca is alarming, with at least 24 defenders murdered since 2018, including Eugui Roy. His sister emphasized the importance of protecting those who fight for environmental conservation and fundamental rights, demanded justice for Eugui and his family, and asked the Oaxacan authorities to reopen and expedite the investigations of the case. The environmentalist and activist community continues to call for an end to violence against those who defend nature, reminding the government of its responsibility to ensure the protection and safety of those working in environmental preservation.
