IRTF News

criminalization and harassment by authorities of Miriam Miranda, General Coordinator of the Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras (OFRANEH), at the behest of foreign investors building tourist resorts on Garífuna communal lands

excessive use of force by police to break up a peaceful protest of neighbors blocking the installation of high voltage power lines (to service a sugar refinery) over their homes in Villa de San Francisco, Francisco Morazán Department, and unjust detention of seven protesters: Jorge Aguilar, president of CAPIRHO (Popular and Independent Environmentalist Committee for Water and Other Resources), Cristian Marisol Hernández Pineda (member of Boulevard Neighbors), Julio Zúniga, Rodolfo Quezada, Mario González, Juan Camilo Palma, Maicol Aguilar

killing of Ana María Mepaquito, a 22-year-old indigenous woman and mother of three young children, caught in crossfire during clashes between paramilitary groups, the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, and state security forces that are threatening Wounaan and Embera indigenous communities in Riosucio, Chocó Department

assassination of union leader Tomás Francisco Ochoa Salazar, of the SITRABREMEN meat-packers union in Guatemala City, and shooting injury of union member Andy Noel Godinez

attacks and arbitrary detention by police officers of four human rights defenders at the National University of Honduras (UNAH) in Tegucipalpa: Hedme Castro, Ariel Díaz, Carlos del Cid and Tommy Morales.

death threats to journalists at El Faro and Revista Factum, two digital news outlets specializing in investigative journalism

death threat to Anny Lisseth Vera Ravelo, daughter of Maria Leonilda Ravelo Grimaldo, President of the National Association for Solidarity Aid (ANDAS) in Barrancabermeja, Santander Department, and a member of the Peace Commission in Colombia.

excessive force by police and ESMAD (anti-riot squad) against small-scale artisanal miners in Antioquia Department organizing in resistance to Canada-based Gran Colombia Gold Corporation; two killed by police gunfire: Brando Stid Ochoa, Alexis Gregorio Acevedo

threats and intimidation against several human rights defenders and organizations in Barrancabermeja, Santander Department, by the paramilitary organization Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (AGC): Iván Madero Vergel, President of the Regional Corporation for the Protection of Human Rights (CREDHOS); David Ravelo Crespo, Secretary of CREDHOS; Maria Leonilda Ravelo Grimaldo, President of the National Association for Solidarity Aid (ANDAS); Sonia María Nevado Morales, member of Broad Front for Peace; Melkin Hernán Castrillón Peñau, Treasurer of the Peasant Farmer Association of the Cimitarra River Valley (ACVC)