16.09.2024 – This past Saturday, September 14, we received the sad news of the murder of Juan López, a well-known Honduran environmentalist and councilor for the Libre Party in the municipality of Tocoa, Honduras. The brutal killing of López by a group of hitmen occurred as he was leaving his community’s church. Known for his dedication and commitment to protecting the Guapinol River and his opposition to mining projects that threaten the “Montaña Botaderos Carlos Escaleras” National Park, López had received multiple threats because of his activism.
On June 13, the Municipal Council illegally held a meeting in which they approved the construction of a thermoelectric plant in the region, a project rejected by the majority of the people. López, who was not only a councilor but also participated in the Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods, had publicly opposed this project. On September 10, he had called for the resignation of the mayor, Adán Funez, also of the Libre Party, who has presided over the municipality since 2005. Just four days later, he was shot while in his car, adding to the long list of environmentalists murdered in Honduras.
The situation is extremely serious for those defending the environment in the Aguan region. It is important to note that Juan López had been granted precautionary measures by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and was under the protection of the Defenders’ Protection Mechanism. Thus, his murder highlights the inability of the Honduran state to guarantee the right to life for its citizens.
In addition to his political activism, López was known for his active participation in the Catholic community of Tocoa. He was a member of the National Apostolic Council of the Society of Jesus in Honduras, a Lay Delegate of the Word of God at the San Isidro Labrador Parish in Tocoa, and Coordinator of the Samaritan Dimension Commission of the Diocese of Trujillo. His murder is an irreparable loss and a terrible injustice.
From the Justice in Mining Network, we express our solidarity with his family and friends, his companions in struggle and faith, and the people of Tocoa. We also join the statements issued by the Central American Province of the Society of Jesus and the National Apostolic Council of the Society of Jesus in Honduras, demanding justice for Juan López and protection for all those who defend life and land in Honduras.
You can read the statements here:
