Benoit Maria (Benito)

We learned with great sorrow this morning the assassination of Benoit Maria, a long-time friend and collaborator of Agter, based in Guatemala.

Our thoughts go first and foremost to his family and closest friends whose grief we share.

Benoit was the head of Agronomes et Vétérinaires sans Frontières (AVSF) in Guatemala and has been working for more than 20 years with Quiché communities, supporting them in the implementation of agricultural projects and in the valorization of their knowledge. In 2015 and 2016, he generously contributed to the realization of a reflection work carried out by Agter on community forest management in Central America.

Today, we are left with the image of a committed and generous person who has devoted most of his energies to supporting historically marginalized communities in their quest for emancipation, yet in a context of great insecurity.

Agter joins AVSF in condemning this heinous crime and demanding clarification of the circumstances, reparation and justice.

August 11, 2020