Monika Silva death in Ecuador prompts Poland, EU investigation

Polish environmental and human‑rights activist Monika Silva was found dead on 8 June 2026 in her home in Montañita, Santa Elena province, Ecuador. Silva, a Polish citizen who had lived in the coastal town for several years, was known for denouncing alleged environmental irregularities, corruption and land‑trafficking, and for defending mangroves, sea‑turtle nesting sites and local water‑treatment infrastructure. She had publicly opposed a US$3.3 million pier project that she said threatened protected habitats.

After her death, the Polish embassy in Lima expressed deep sorrow and called for a prompt, impartial and independent investigation. The European Union in Ecuador also voiced concern, urging protection for human‑rights defenders, journalists and civil‑society activists. A coalition of Ecuadorian and international NGOs issued a manifesto demanding an independent probe and highlighting prior threats Silva had reported. Authorities have not yet clarified the circumstances surrounding her death.