Noticias 24/7 reports: “The Center for the Study of Democracy (CESPAD) published an analysis of the first 100 days of President Nasry Asfura’s government, in which it warns of the persistence of structural problems in environmental, agrarian and territorial matters, in addition to warning about the progress of strategic projects without clear mechanisms for community consultation.”
That article adds: “The report, entitled ‘Critical Points and Challenges of Current Environmental and Territorial Management’ and prepared by Lucía Vijíl and Kevin Isidro, argues that Honduras maintains a development model based on extractive activities, land concentration and socio-environmental conflicts that have not been resolved by the different changes of government.”
Among the issues CESPAD raises in their report is the situation for the (CNTC):
“Evictions of peasant communities linked to the CNTC: On April 9, 2026, police and military forces carried out the eviction of 39 peasant families in the community of San Nicolás, Comayagua. Peasant organizations denounced the disproportionate deployment of security forces, including military equipment, as well as the burning of crops and the arrest of 17 people. In response, on April 16, 2026, the National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) filed an appeal for amparo requesting the suspension of the eviction, the release of the detainees, and the restitution of the right to land, denouncing the illegality of the operation. At the time of this analysis, the State has not issued a public response or established reparation measures for the affected families.”
Law on strengthening the agro-industrial sector: On February 10, 2026, a draft law aimed at granting preferential legal and administrative protection to the agro-industrial sector was presented in the National Congress. The proposal stands out for measures such as the streamlining of licenses, the declaration of non-affectability of lands and the immediate intervention of security forces in conflict scenarios.”
The report also includes recommendations such as:
“Protection of defenders. Implement urgent mechanisms for prevention, protection, and investigation in the face of threats, attacks, and murders of people who defend land, territory, and common goods. Eradicating impunity in these emblematic cases weakens the rule of law and erodes trust in institutions.”
The use of military equipment against CNTC community
On March 3, 2026, PBI-Honduras, PBI-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson met with Franklin Almendares, General Secretary, and Rosa Santamaría, member of the National Board of Directors, of the CNTC at their office in Tegucigalpa. We told the CNTC at that time, PBI-Canada continues to highlight the role that military equipment and technology has in the repression of human rights defenders and communities.
The U.S. International Trade Commission notes: “Major exporters of security equipment to Honduras are Israel, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.” In 2019, Israel was the largest supplier of arms to Honduras.
With respect to the Black Mamba armoured vehicles, Proceso Digital has reported: “The Honduran government bought 10 Black Mamba, six of which arrived in the country, the payments were made against delivery to an Israeli company that assembled them in Mexico.” The Rio Times adds: “The Black Mambas are a joint effort by Mexican companies TPS Armoring and Epel Tácticos. They are based on the Israeli Sandcat and come in three versions for different needs.”
It’s not clear the “Israeli company” in Mexico, but the Israeli Sandcat is manufactured by the Israeli armoured vehicle company Plasan. That company will be exhibiting at the CANSEC “defence, security and emerging technology event” in Ottawa, Canada this coming May 27-28, 2026.
Updates on the community mobilization against CANSEC can be found here.
Photo: Black Mamba Sandcat, March 2024.
