Ecuador orders international experts to probe activist Monika Silva's death

Polish activist Monika Silva was found dead on June 8, 2026, inside her home in the El Tigrillo neighborhood of Montañita, Santa Elena Province. Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg announced the appointment of international forensic experts to ensure a swift, rigorous and transparent investigation, echoing earlier statements from the Fiscalía.

The case has sparked nationwide concern. Friends gathered in Manglaralto Park the following day, lighting candles and laying roses in a tribute, while recalling Silva's decade‑long anti‑corruption and environmental work. The European Union delegation in Ecuador called for a rapid, independent inquiry, emphasizing the need for transparency.

Silva's partner discovered the body, and her close friend, lawyer Italo Pincay, disputed early suggestions of suicide, noting she had previously reported death threats. Authorities face pressure to clarify the circumstances surrounding her death.