Mercedes Almeida was threatened and surveilled by state and military officials after putting up a sign that read "I demand decent housing for my children".

Mercedes Almeida Álvarez placed a sign on her house saying "I demand decent housing for my children", for which she was threatened by officers Brian Torres Hurgüelles and Asiel Medina Espinoza. These officers went to her home to threaten to send her to prison for the crimes of disturbing the peace and disobedience, they also placed a patrol of military officers of special troops 100 meters from her house, so that people opposed to the regime could not help her and to monitor her.