We at Return to El Salvador are deeply saddened to inform you of the recent assassinations of two more anti-mining activists in Cabañas, El Salvador.

Ramiro Rivera Gomez, the vice-president of the Cabañas Environmental Committee, was gunned down and killed on December 20 at 4:00 p.m. in Canton Trinidad. Rivera was an active leader in the resistance against Pacific Rim Mining's work in El Salvador, particularly against environmental and human rights abuses connected to mining practices in the region. This was not the first time that Rivera's life had been threatened because of his environmental and humanitarian work. In August, he suffered 8 gunshot wounds to his back outside of his own home by attackers associated with those in favor of mining. It is noteworthy that the two security guards from the Witnesses and Victims Protection Unit of the National Civil Police accompanying Rivera at the time of his assassination were reportedly unable to prevent his murder, while they themselves sustained no injuries. A family member who was with Rivera at the time was also killed, and a 14-year-old girl traveling with them was injured.

Less than a week later, on December 26, Dora "Alicia" Sorto Recinos was shot and killed as she returned to her home from doing laundry in the river. Sorto Recinos was 8 months pregnant, and her young son who was with her at the time was shot in the foot. She was the wife of Jose Santos Rodriguez, who is a farmer and an active member of the Cabañas Environmental Committee. In April of 2008, a neighbor in support of Pacific Rim's mining initiatives attacked Santos Rodriguez and cut off 2 of his fingers with a machete. Recently before her murder, Sorto Recinos had reported that several men with rifles had shown up at their home looking for her husband, but he was not at home.

We ask you to join the international response of solidarity with the people of Cabañas as they struggle for freedom from violence and environmental degredation. The following link will take you to an action alert that will allow you to send an email to the Organized Crime Unit of the Attorney General’s Office in El Salvador. *The action alert link has been updated to include a letter focusing on both murders and also on the murder of Marcelo Rivera* Below you will find the sources of these reports and further articles in both English and Spanish with more information on these assassinations.

Action Alert

• El Salvador: Ramiro Rivera Shot to Death in Cabañas
• El Salvador - Hitmen Assassinate Prominent Woman Activist in Cabañas; Pro-Mining Violence Continues
• Opponent to Canadian Pacific Rim Assassinated in El Salvador
• Pregnant Anti-Mining Activist Assassinated in El Salvador
• Siguen los asesinatos contra los ambientalistas