### Tragic Loss: Two Triqui Sisters Killed in Oaxaca
In the early hours of November 6, 2024, tragedy struck in the city of Oaxaca as two sisters, Adriana and Virginia Ortiz García, were fatally shot. The sisters, aged 35 and 45, were returning home to their residence on Calle Revolución after spending the day selling handicrafts at Alameda de León. As they exited a taxi at their home in the Francisco I. Madero neighborhood, two assailants on a motorcycle approached them and opened fire. The sounds of over 20 gunshots echoed through the area, prompting neighbors in the Valles Centrales region to rush to their aid and contact emergency services. Despite the rapid response, paramedics could only confirm the sisters’ deaths upon arrival, due to the severity of their injuries.
Originating from San Juan Copala, the Ortiz sisters were not only artisans but also passionate activists associated with the Movimiento Unificador de Lucha Triqui (MULT), an organization dedicated to defending land rights. Following the heinous act, MULT vocally demanded justice for the sisters.
The State Attorney General’s Office of Oaxaca (FEGO) has launched an investigation, committing to a probe conducted with a gender and intercultural perspective. Meanwhile, members of MULT initiated protests, blocking key routes in Putla Villa de Guerrero and calling for intervention from the national authorities demanding that the matter be addressed by the national Attorney General’s Office to ensure justice.
In Mexico City, Triqui community members gathered outside the Ministry of the Interior’s headquarters, pressing for the national authorities’ involvement. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences and emphasized the necessity of resolving land disputes during her morning press conference at the National Palace.
### Related News: Growing Concerns Over Indigenous Activists’ Safety in Mexico
The assassination of the Ortiz sisters brings to light the broader issue of violence against indigenous activists in Mexico. According to reports, indigenous communities across the country face increasing threats and violence, often linked to land disputes and opposition to resource extraction projects.
Human rights organizations have been urging the Mexican government to strengthen protections for activists. The National Commission on Human Rights has called for heightened security measures and comprehensive investigations into the deaths of indigenous activists to curb the cycle of impunity.
This latest incident adds to a troubling pattern, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action to protect vulnerable communities and address the root causes of violence. With international attention focusing on the plight of indigenous activists in Mexico, the government is under pressure to act swiftly and transparently to ensure justice and safeguard human rights defenders.