Pope Francis Condemns Killing of Honduran Environmental Activist
Pope Francis has joined a chorus of international voices condemning the assassination of environmental activist Juan López in Honduras, The Associated Press reports.
López, who dedicated his life to protecting the region’s rivers and forests from mining companies, was gunned down earlier this month in Tocoa, northern Honduras.
“I stand with those who see their basic rights trampled and with those who act for the common good in response to the cries from the poor of the earth,” Francis said at the end of his Angelus message.
His statement follows a wave of international condemnation, including calls for a swift and thorough investigation.
The United States, through Assistant Secretary of State Brian A. Nichols, demanded justice for López, while the United Nations called for immediate and impartial investigation to hold those responsible accountable. Honduras’ President Xiomara Castro labelled the killing a “vile murder” and promised to address mounting calls for justice.
López’s death is the latest in a string of killings targeting environmental defenders in the rural Colón region. Last year, three activists from his organization were also killed. The region has become a hotbed of violence as activists stand against powerful interests exploiting the environment for profit.
Global Witness, an NGO tracking environmental killings, reports that Latin America remains the deadliest region for environmental defenders. In 2022, Honduras was ranked among the most dangerous countries for such activists, along with Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico. These four countries collectively accounted for over 70% of global killings of environmental defenders last year.
Environmental leaders often find themselves in dangerous situations, acting as watchdogs against organized crime and powerful entities seeking to profit from industries like mining and logging. Their work often puts them in remote areas, far from the protection of the law.
López’s killing echoes the tragic fate of Berta Cáceres, a prominent environmental and Indigenous leader who was murdered in 2016. The lack of complete resolution in her case continues to haunt Honduras.
