Union activists continue to face death threats and physical attacks in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico
Photo: On April 28, 2025, PBI-Colombia accompanied Nomadesc at a commemorations of the National Strike of 2021 and the demand for a Truth Commission to address the 75 murders and 3,000 cases of physical violence.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index 2025 reports: “Trade unionists paid the ultimate price for their activism in Cameroon, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, and South Africa – killed for defending workers’ rights.”
The ITUC report further highlights: “The Americas remains the deadliest region for workers: five unionists were killed in Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru.”
It adds: “A culture of intimidation continues to threaten workers and trade union activists across much of the region, where death threats and physical attacks remain commonplace.”
Peace Brigades International, with teams in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, remains attentive to this situation of attacks against union activists.
Colombia
ITUC notes: “In Colombia, Jhon Jarry Vargas Sarabia – the young father of three and a member of the Unión Sindical Obrera (USO) for oil workers – was shot dead in Tibú [on 23 September 2024].”
Guatemala
ITUC also documents:
“Ronaldo Geovany Gómez Godoy, a member of the National Union of Health Workers of Guatemala (SNTSG), was killed on 23 September 2024 by hired assassins.
On 5 September, teacher René Sucup Morán, a union leader of Sindicato de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores de la Educación de Guatemala (STEG), was murdered by a hitman.
The union had documented a series of attacks and intimidation against STEG leaders since May 2024, when it organised a nationwide campaign to demand meaningful collective bargaining negotiations.
On 15 June 2024, Anastacio Tzib Caal, a leader in the network of textile maquila unions in Guatemala, was gunned down. At the time of writing, no arrests had been made.”
Honduras
In their report, ITUC further notes: “Companies operating in sectors known for their abusive work conditions engaged in widespread union-busting practices in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama.”
Worker-driven Social Responsibility (WSR) has noted that the US apparel brand Fruit of the Loom announced the closing two unionized factories in Honduras, Jerzees Nuevo Día and Confecciones Dos Caminos, impacting 3,000 workers. The Sourcing Journal adds: “Evangelina Argueta, a coordinator for CGT [Central General de Trabajadores/ General Workers’ Union] who led the fight at the former Jerzees de Honduras, said workers believe that the factory closures are a form of union-busting.”
Mexico
In more encouraging news, ITUC adds: “Mexico, by contrast, saw its rating climb to 3 [regular violations of rights] from 4 [systematic violations of rights], following positive reforms to its labour justice system.”
Colombia, Honduras and Guatemala are all rated as a 5: “no guarantee of rights”.
Peace Brigades International recognizes trade union activists as human rights defenders and seeks increased protections for them.
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