Searcher Ceci Flores, declared persona non grata by Seri indigenous people of Sonora

The Comcaac indigenous community, located in the towns of El Desemboque and Punta Chueca, facing the majestic Tiburón Island in Sonora, declared the searching mother Cecilia Patricia Flores Armenta persona non grata, in an act supported by its traditional and communal authorities.

The declaration, signed by Jesús Félix Segovia, traditional governor of the Comcaac nation, and Alberto Mellado Moreno, president of the Ejido El Desemboque de los Seris and its Punta Chueca annex, explicitly establishes that the searching mother may not enter the territory without express authorization. The measure, according to the official document, is taken in exercise of the autonomy of the indigenous people and in adherence to their customs and traditions.

The text emphasizes that any collaboration by Ceci Flores or the search groups she leads must follow a formal protocol. That is, a written request must be submitted, which will be reviewed by the COMCAAC authorities according to their internal processes. "We reiterate our willingness to collaborate in humanitarian actions as long as our autonomy, our territory, and our customs and traditions are fully respected," the statement reads.

Ceci Flores, founder of the Searching Mothers of Sonora collective, has been a central figure in the fight to find missing persons in the country. Her work has led to interventions in areas considered highly culturally or territorially sensitive, such as indigenous communities demanding respect for their sovereignty and prior consent.

The Comcaac nation, historically recognized for its staunch defense of its territory and identity, has repeatedly stated the need for any external action—even those for humanitarian purposes—to be carried out in consultation with and with respect for its processes. The unauthorized presence of external actors is viewed as an invasion of its collective rights.

To date, Ceci Flores has not issued a public response to the Seri authorities' decision. However, the case opens a complex debate between the right to search for missing persons and the autonomy of Indigenous peoples, both recognized in national and international law.

Shark Island and its surrounding communities are sacred and protected territory for the Comcaac Nation, where the Seri live. For years, their leaders have demanded that any intervention, whether environmental, scientific, or humanitarian, comply with the requirements of consultation and respect for their worldview.