The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has posted on social media:
“’The security situation is going to worsen,’ warns the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods (CMDBCP).
In a meeting with PBI, the community of #Guapinol reported several signs that the thermoelectric plant is resuming operations, such as a lower river flow, evidence of earthmoving, and alleged hiring of staff in the area.
Added to this is the upcoming hearing regarding charges against Lenir Pérez, president of the group that operates the Los Pinares mining company, for illegal exploitation of natural resources in a protected area.
‘These three things—the trial, the possible reopening, and our security situation—go hand in hand,’ explain the defenders, who are calling for attention to the judicial proceedings taking place this Thursday and Friday.
#justiceforajuanlopez #priorconsultation #environment”
Lenir Pérez charged with environmental damage
Earlier this month, Criterio.hn reported: “Businessman Lenir Pérez, linked to the mining project denounced by Juan López and other defenders in the protected area, through the companies Inversiones Los Pinares and Inversiones Ecotek, both of the Emco Holding Group. Although Pérez is accused of crimes of illegal exploitation of natural resources and environmental damage in the Montaña de Botaderos Carlos Escaleras National Park, a judge recently allowed him to defend himself in freedom after paying a millionaire bail, without imposing restrictions such as the prohibition of leaving the country. The decision came amid questions about delays in the process, after the businessman’s representatives argued that he was not in the country.”
In March 2026, Criterio.hn also reported: “The indictment against Lenir Pérez and twelve other people for their alleged responsibility for environmental damage was filed nine days after the murder of the environmental leader and water defender, Juan López, coordinator of the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods of Tocoa, a crime that continues in impunity.”
Accompaniment
The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has accompanied Municipal Committee for the Defence of Common and Public Goods of Tocoa (CMDBCPT) processes and Guapinol River defenders since January 2019.
PBI-Canada visited Tocoa and the Guapinol River in 2024.
On October 29, 2024, we drove almost 350 kilometres north-east from Tegucigalpa to the city of Tocoa, which is situated about 9 kilometres from the community of Guapinol. This visit came in the context of the death of Guapinol River defender Juan López, who was shot to death as he left church on the evening of September 14, 2024.
Photo: A poster of Juan López in Tocoa.
On the afternoon of October 30, 2024, we visited the Guapinol River, seeing the pelletizing plant associated with the Los Pinares megaproject, walked in the community, and met with community members to hear about the situation there.
Photos: PBI at Guapinol River in October 2024 and April 2026.
We continue to follow this.
