TAKE ACTION: Email officials to demand release of CCDA’s Leocadio Juracán

On August 13, Leocadio Juracán, Agrarian Reform Coordinator of the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA), was detained at La Aurora Airport as he was leaving the country to participate in a Translocal Social Movement Learning conference in South Africa.

Leocadio is being criminalized for his work as a land and human rights defender. He is currently facing multiple charges, including Aggravated Trespass (usurpación), directly related to his advocacy for Indigenous and campesino communities.

We need you to take immediate action by writing to the following government officials:

• Private Secretariat of the Guatemalan Presidency, Ana Glenda Tager Rosado: informacion@secretariaprivada.gob.gt
• Guatemalan Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez Irungaray: despachoministerial@mingob.gob.gt
• Advisor to the Guatemalan Interior Minister, Claudia Samayoa: ddhh3@mingob.gob.gt

Please cc: the following Canadian officials:

• Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand: Anita.Anand@international.gc.ca
• Ambassador to Guatemala, Olivier Jacques: Olivier.Jacques@international.gc.ca
• Member of Parliament, Heather McPherson: Heather.McPherson@parl.gc.ca
• Member of Parliament, Elizabeth May: Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca ; leader@greenparty.ca

What to include in your letter

In your message, please call on them to:

• Release Leocadio Juracán immediately.
• Ensure his protection until such time as he is released.
• Follow recent UN Special Rapporteur advice to enact an immediate moratorium on evictions and grant amnesty for all criminalized land defenders.
• End criminalization of the members and leadership of Indigenous and campesino communities and organizations.

Many of these government officials are Spanish speaking. If possible, please write this letter in Spanish (see messaging below).

Me dirijo a usted para exigir que:

• Liberen inmediatamente a Leocadio Juracán.
• Garanticen su protección hasta el momento de su liberación.
• Sigan las recomendaciones recientes del Relator Especial de la ONU de declarar una moratoria inmediata de los desalojos forzados y de otorgar la amnistía a todos los defensores criminalizados.
• Pongan fin a la criminalización de los miembros y líderes de las comunidades y organizaciones indígenas y campesinas.

Please share this urgent action widely with your network. Thank you so much for your support to help get Leocadio Juracán free!