María Fernanda Pérez (29) was a prominent woman human rights defender from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. She disappeared on Sunday afternoon, 26 April 2020. According to the local news Prensa Comunitaria, her relatives began looking for her that night, and her body was discovered a little while later.

María Fernanda Pérez was the mayor assistant of the community Nueva Florida. She was involved in the struggle for justice in her district, and particularly committed to political rights of rural women. She was described as a “teammate and a woman committed to the transformative processes in Guatemala”.

The community and other authorities in the region have requested an investigation into the crime. The Fair and Solidarity Trade Network of Kuchub’Al has demanded that the Public Ministry of Governance expose those responsible for this criminal act, and insist on the need to punish the individual/s involved.

María Fernanda Pérez was buried on 28 April 2020. The Movement for the Liberation of the People expressed their sorrow and indignation, and sent their condolences to her family, to the Frente Chuvasteco and the Community of Chuvas.