The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has posted on social media:
“Yesterday [January 13], we observed the mobilization organized by the Movimiento Amplio [Broad Movement] to demand progress in the protection of land, territory, and the environment. In particular, we accompanied the sit-in by defenders from the René Alemán y Pedrina Melgar Dignified Camp in the Medina Sector (Puerto Cortés), who are demanding the definitive closure of the Agrecasa mining project. PBI is concerned about the criminal proceedings brought against 13 people from the Medina Sector for their legitimate defense of the environment.”
On January 5, Criterio.hn 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 continued: “[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 highlighted: “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).
