Indigenous Environmentalists Say U.S. Policy Enables Assassinations In Honduras

Parque Nacional La Tigra, Honduras.
Yamil Gonzales / Flickr
Parque Nacional La Tigra, Honduras.
Yamil Gonzales / Flickr

Indigenous Environmentalists Say U.S. Policy Enables Assassinations In Honduras

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Honduras is the world’s most dangerous country for environmental activists, according to a 2015 report from Global Witness, an NGO that advocates for environmental transparency.

The danger continues in 2016—Berta Cáceres, a Honduran indigenous environmental activist and a leader, was murdered in March, less than a week after her life was threatened for her opposition to a hydroelectric dam project.

We talk about how environmental and social justice movements in Honduras are moving forward with Tomas Gómez Membreño, who assumed much of Cáceres’ leadership role after her death. 

We also talk with Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle, an interpreter, community organizer and member of the Chicago-based human rights group, La Voz de Los de Abajo. Ginsberg-Jaeckle worked with Cáceres for nearly two decades. 

They both accuse U.S. foreign policy of enabling these murders in Honduras.