On January 7, the Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project posted on social media:
“Yesterday, we observed the arraignment hearing in the case against 13 people from the Medina Sector (Puerto Cortés), #criminalized for their legitimate work as #advocates in opposition to the #mining project of the Agrecasa company. The judge ordered alternative measures to imprisonment and did not authorize the eviction of the René Alemán y Pedrina Melgar Camp, located in the community of Brisas del Mar Tramade. This camp, which we visited last Sunday, is the center of resistance against the extractive project and in favor of protecting common goods.”
On the day of the arraignment hearing, Criterio.hn further reported: “The Puerto Cortés Court imposed measures other than imprisonment on thirteen residents of the Medina Sector, accused of the crime of trespassing, in a trial questioned for acting against communities protesting the destruction of the environment.”
The article continues: “[Defence lawyer Lestter] Castro pointed out that the accusation made by the Public Prosecutor’s Office is based on the obstruction made by the inhabitants of the affected communities to prevent the company Agregados del Caribe S.A. (Agrecasa) from continuing to pollute the environment and cause damage to the infrastructure of their homes.”
It also highlights: “Since April of last year, members of the communities affected by the open-pit exploitation of iron oxide have maintained a sit-in at the main entrance to the Sapadril quarry, located in Brisas de Tramades in the Medina Sector.”
And it noted that: “The lawyer of the Law Firm Studies for Dignity indicated that the date of the initial hearing was set for February 20, 2026. He pointed out that it will be during this instance when the defense will present the evidence to prove that the defendants have not committed any crime.”
The full article can be read at Juzgado impone medidas a 13 pobladores que protestan contra contaminación de cantera en Puerto Cortés (Criterio.hn, January 5, 2026).
Further reading
13 defenders criminalized, while AGRECASA continues to operate in its territory (CESPAD, November 18, 2025)
Honduran government represses community demanding that mining ceases in Puerto Cortés (ContraCorriente, May 17, 2024)
