Mexican Land Activist Shot Outside Tlalmanalco Home

The memory of Mexican activist Jesus Javier Ramos Arreola will only strengthen the activist’s cause to stall construction of the New Mexican International Airport (NAIM).

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The activist was dedicated to the defense of a strip of stony ground called Cerro del Tenayo, the location destined for the new international airport. Residents say the hill was home to several archaeological remains as well as diminishing species of flora and fauna.

According to the Mexican Geological Society, tampering with the Tenayo hill does have its own inherent risk to inhabitants due to the high rate of landslides and has recommended developers refrain from modifying the landform.

Ramos Arreola dismissed the dozens of death threats sent to him over the past months after he joined the  Peoples' Organizational Platform against the New Airport and Aerotropolis.

Ramos Arreola, 59, was reported shot while standing outside his home in San Rafael, Tlalmanalco, Friday night, the Center for Human Rights "Zeferino Ladrillero" (Cdhzf). He was transferred to a local hospital where he later passed away.

The Cdhzf has requested state officials launch an impartial investigation into the murder; ensure the rights, life, and safety of land and water defenders are respected and protected- particularly those opposed to the new airport.

According to a recent report from the National Public Security System, within the first six months of 2018, there were at least 13,298 cases of first-degree murder, a 21 percent increase of the same period of past years.

Despite the heavy death toll 2017 paid on the nation with a total of 28,710 murders, it seems that if 2018 does not exceed these rates, it will not be far behind.