On 4 April 2025, journalist and human rights advocate Miryam Vargas Teutle became the target of threatening messages and calls from local authorities in San Andrés Cholula, Puebla. This harassment is believed to be in retaliation for her dedicated work both in journalism and community issues, particularly following a citizen complaint linked to land dispossession involving a legal advisor associated with these authorities.
Miryam, a Nahua indigenous communicator and member of the Frente de Pueblos en Defensa de la Tierra y el Agua – Morelos, Puebla y Tlaxcala (FPDTA-MPT), has fervently defended her community’s territory against the Proyecto Integral Morelos mega-project since 2010. Additionally, she contributes as a community journalist for Cholollan Radio, tirelessly advocating for her people’s rights.
Between 1 and 2 April 2025, disturbing images of Miryam were circulated on Facebook, aimed at undermining her credible journalistic and environmental work. This was coupled with threats from municipal staff of San Andrés Cholula, who questioned her journalistic integrity and sought payment for airtime, indicating potential censorship of Cholollan Radio’s content regarding the citizen complaint.
The complaint itself revolves around the expropriation of land for the controversial Bajadas del Periférico road project, which threatens the ancestral land and water access of the Tlaxcalancingo people. A legal directive mandates consulting with the affected community before proceeding, while ensuring fair compensation is available.
These acts of intimidation contribute to a worrying trend of violence against human rights defenders, previously reported by Front Line Defenders during a peaceful protest in June 2021. Miryam’s situation has aroused concern from Front Line Defenders, which views the hostility as a direct response to her community advocacy.
In light of these events, Front Line Defenders urges Mexican authorities to publicly denounce the threats against Miryam Vargas Teutle and Cholollan Radio, to launch a thorough investigation into the harassment, and to safeguard the rights of human rights defenders throughout Mexico, ensuring their ability to work without fear or restrictions.
Miryam Vargas Teutle, a human rights defender and journalist, has faced intimidation from local authorities linked to her community activism and reporting. Following a citizen complaint about land dispossession, she received threatening messages questioning her integrity and demanding payments for airtime. This situation follows previous acts of violence against human rights defenders and highlights ongoing concerns regarding their safety in Mexico.
The current plight of Miryam Vargas Teutle underlines the escalating dangers faced by human rights defenders in Mexico. The intimidation tactics employed against her not only threaten her personal safety but also aim to stifle essential journalistic work within her community. It is crucial for authorities to take swift action, ensuring safety and legitimate advocacy can continue without intimidation.
Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
