Samir Flores killing and the Huexca power plant
- 1 people died.Samir Flores Soberanes, killed 20 February 2019.
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
Samir Flores Soberanes was killed on 20 February 2019 in Amilcingo, Morelos, days before the federal consultation on a state-owned power plant and gas pipeline he opposed. The only suspect was acquitted in March 2026.
The only suspect was acquitted on 13 March 2026.
Status As of March 2026: the only suspect was acquitted by a federal judge on 13 March; no one has been convicted; the plant's current operating status is not on record.
- Samir Flores Soberanes — Killed on 20 February 2019.
What happened
Samir Flores Soberanes was killed on 20 February 2019 in Amilcingo, Morelos, Mexico, days before the federal consultation on the Proyecto Integral Morelos.
The record describes what he opposed as the Proyecto Integral Morelos of the CFE, the state power utility: the 642 MW Huexca thermoelectric plant, built by Abengoa, and a gas pipeline (Elecnor/Enagás).
One suspect, identified as Javier "N", was arrested in Cuautla on 30 September 2021, as announced by the Morelos state prosecutor's office; a judge ordered him held in pretrial detention on 1 October. A federal judge acquitted him on 13 March 2026, finding that the prosecution's evidence was insufficient. According to activists and press reports, two of the three witnesses presented by prosecutors died in unexplained circumstances and the third was missing; those deaths have not been independently confirmed in the cited sources. No one has been convicted.
After the killing, the government announced that the plant would start operating in 2020. Opponents said that amparo suspensions (court injunctions) were still pending in 2021. The plant's current operating status is not on record.
- 2019Samir Flores Soberanes killed on 20 February in Amilcingo, Morelos, days before the federal consultation on the plant
- 2020Government announced the plant would start operating
- 2021Suspect Javier "N" arrested on 30 September; opponents said amparo suspensions were still pending
- 2026Federal judge acquitted the only suspect on 13 March
What was said
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Announced that the plant would start operating in 2020.
Said that amparo suspensions (court injunctions) were still pending in 2021.
How it looked
Shown
- The government announced that the Huexca plant would start operating in 2020.Mexican government
Recorded
- One suspect, Javier "N", arrested in October 2021 and acquitted by a federal judge on 13 March 2026; two key witnesses killed during the proceedings; no one convicted.
- The 642 MW Huexca thermoelectric plant (Abengoa) and a gas pipeline (Elecnor/Enagás) formed part of the CFE's Proyecto Integral Morelos.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- abengoa: A response from Abengoa is published on business-humanrights.org; its text is not reproduced in the cited sources. · business-humanrights.org
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2021-09-30 (arrest)–2026-03-13Defendant wonProsecution of the only suspect in the killing of Samir FloresFederal court (federal judge) · Criminal · Prosecution → Javier "N"
The suspect was arrested on 30 September 2021 and acquitted by a federal judge on 13 March 2026 for insufficient evidence. Activists and press reports say two of the three witnesses presented by prosecutors died in unexplained circumstances and the third was missing; this was not independently confirmed. No one has been convicted. Expansión (politica.expansion.mx)
- Outcome not on recordAmparo proceedings against the Huexca plantNone on record · Administrative · Opponents of the plant →
Opponents said that amparo suspensions (court injunctions) were still pending in 2021. The outcome is not on record. La Jornada
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Court
- Unclear Amparo proceedings against the Huexca plant: outcome not on record.
Accounts
- Disputed Could the Huexca plant begin operating while court injunctions were pending?
Record
- None on record Current operating status of the Huexca plant: none on record.
- None on record No one has been convicted of the killing.
Did the harm stop?
The cited sources do not state whether the plant or pipeline stopped; the government announced in 2020 that the plant would start operating, and its current status is not stated.
Who paid?
One person was killed; the cited sources give no compensation or other payment.
Sources
Company or project
- Abengoa responsebusiness-humanrights.org · · Archived copy
Press and investigations
- Único detenido por el asesinato de Samir Flores es liberadoExpansión (politica.expansion.mx) · 2026-03-15 · Archived copy
- Presunto asesino de Samir Flores fue detenido en prisión; tiene un año presoGrupo Animal · 2021-10
- Caso Samir Flores: absuelven al único detenido por su asesinatoSDP Noticias · 2026-03
- La termoeléctrica de Morelos, otro proyecto polémico que AMLO llevará a consultaExpansión Política · 2019-02-21
- Suspensiones de amparo vigentes contra el Proyecto Integral Morelos, según opositoresLa Jornada · 2021-02-10 · Archived copy
Connected cases
- Gunaa Sicarú wind farm contracts cancelled after Zapotec community suit Mexico · 2022
- CFE (state power utility) (Company) — here: State power utility; owner of the Proyecto Integral Morelos; there: State electricity company whose contracts were cancelled