Searching mothers in Veracruz under threat from criminals for their work

 

Veracruz, Veracruz.  Searching mothers in the state constantly receive life threats due to their work trying to locate their missing relatives, said Rosalía Castro Toss, founder of the Solecito Collective of Veracruz.

During a march held by the group's members through the city streets, in the context of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the activist commented that they constantly receive calls warning them that their safety will be threatened if they do not stop their searches and awareness-raising efforts.

“It's a very delicate matter, and usually not everyone wants to talk about it, (…) they are telephone threats, (…) what they say is that we should stop making noise and stop searching,” she said.

Castro Toss explained that in some cases, authorities have offered them protection with bodyguards; however, many of the searchers refuse, fearing it will put them at greater risk.