The disappearance and death of Homero Gómez González, a leader in monarch butterfly conservation in Michoacán, Mexico, highlight the perilous work of environmentalists, who face threats from illegal logging and organized crime. A two-part series.
Zach Goldbaum and Michael May report for Outside: Part 1 and Part 2.
In short:
- Homero Gómez González, a butterfly sanctuary leader, vanished in January 2020, sparking global attention on violence against environmental defenders.
- His work to protect monarch butterflies from illegal loggers and promote sustainable tourism made him a target of local cartels and corrupt politicians.
- Despite his death, Gómez's legacy continues through ongoing efforts to protect both the butterflies and the forest.
Key quote:
"When there is resistance to making way for avocado orchards those interests are being enforced by violence."
— Falko Ernst, International Crisis Group
Why this matters:
Homero’s murder reflects a larger crisis faced by environmental defenders across Mexico, where threats of violence and death are all too common. Despite his death, his efforts to safeguard the monarch butterflies and the surrounding forest continue to inspire activists worldwide. Read more: Controversial weedkiller could spell big trouble for monarch butterflies.
