Honduran environmentalist Juan Lopez was shot dead Saturday night in the northeast of the country. The killing was strongly condemned by authorities who promised that “justice” would be done.
An environmental defender in Honduras was shot dead on Saturday evening, September 14, in the northeast of the country, one of the most dangerous in the world for environmental activists. A murder strongly condemned by the authorities who promised that “justice” would be done.
Met in 2021 by AFP, Juan Lopez had described living in anguish since he fought against a mining operation set up near his home, in a mountainous and forested area of northeastern Honduras.
According to local press, Juan Lopez, 46, was killed while in his car after going to a church in Tocoa, where he lived and was a municipal councilor.
“We condemn the despicable assassination of our comrade and environmental leader Juan Lopez in Tocoa. I have ordered all law enforcement agencies to shed light on this tragedy and identify those responsible,” leftist Honduran president Xiomara Castro said on X.
“Justice for Juan Lopez,” she promised. The environmentalist was a member of the ruling Free Party.
His wife, Thelma Peña, said in a brief telephone conversation with AFP that he had been the target of “shots” while leaving a church, where she was not present.
The Honduran prosecutor, Johel Zelaya, praised a man whose “life was an example of struggle,” indicating that “specialized teams were already investigating so that his death does not go unpunished.”
- FRANCE 24
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