In Defense of Water and Life 

By UUSC Staff on May 21, 2025

“The people refuse to die at the hands of the extractive corporate empire and the government that promotes and protects it,” Juan López said. López was a courageous leader in the effort to defend the Guapinol River from extractive mining. He was targeted for his activism and assassinated on September 14, 2024. 

López’s legacy lives on in the work of Fundación San Alonso Rodríguez (FSAR) and other Honduran advocacy groups fighting for governmental and corporate accountability. Despite ongoing threats to their safety, grassroots activists have pursued legal action against mining companies Ecotek and Los Pinares. They have continued to seek justice for the murder of Juan López.  

The Latest Developments 

On May 13, the hearing against executives of Ecotek and Los Pinares concluded. This case sets an important legal precedent in Honduras, as it’s the first time that mining company executives have been prosecuted for illegal environmental exploitation. In his ruling, Judge Jose Abraham Rosa Sánchez stated that there was collusion between the company and the public administration. Judge Sánchez issued a formal indictment against the executives, enabling the case to continue with a preliminary hearing.  

On May 14, the Honduran National Institute of Geology and Mines (INHGEOMIN) issued a resolution that dismissed the opposition to Ecotek’s contract renewal. Despite widespread community knowledge that the contract was issued illegally, INHGEOMIN, a state agency, claims that the process was lawful. The agency’s resolution attempts to legitimize Ecotek’s illegal actions, including falsifying documents, operating in an unauthorized location, and mining without a license.  

The Tocoa Comité and the Guapinol Resiste campaign, two advocacy groups fighting for accountability and climate justice, have called for this inaccurate and harmful resolution to be revoked. It is further evidence of the public administration collusion that Judge Sánchez bravely identified in his May 13 ruling.  

On May 28, an additional case will be heard in San Pedro Sula which addresses the charge of document falsification by Ecotek and Los Pinares representatives.  

On June 3, the court will hear a long overdue case on the murder of Juan López.  

Although each case is a separate legal process, the lead attorney emphasizes that it’s important to treat them as a single, unified effort. The crimes are closely related, and Juan López was murdered because of his work to stop the companies’ destructive practices.  

A leader from Fundación San Alonso Rodríguez (FSAR) noted the clear differences in treatment and advantages afforded to the corporate defendants. Governmental forces continue to collude with corporate mining interests, even in the legal setting.  

What’s Next 

Judge Sánchez’s decision to send the case to trial is an essential victory in the fight for justice. The next hearing is scheduled for June 11, but if the defense appeals the hearing could be delayed.  
 
As these legal processes continue, the Honduran National Congress is considering a proposal to reform the General Environment Law that would eliminate the requirement for environmental impact studies for some extractive projects. This reform would retroactively legalize the practices under investigation in this case and debilitate environmental protections. 

International solidarity strengthens the work of Guapinol’s water defenders. You can support their efforts by posting one of their messages on social media on June 11, provided the hearing is not delayed. Stay tuned to UUSC’s social media and sign up for the Resistance Network to receive action alerts about Guapinol and other international justice efforts.  

When the Guapinol river defenders were honored with the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award, Juan López said, “Long live the hope and rebellion of the communities who are the true owners of the award that we are receiving today.” May we continue his legacy of hope and rebellion in the fight for justice in Guapinol.