On 14 September 2024, Juan Lopez, environmental activist who protested mining and hydro-electric projects in northern Honduras in an effort to preserve tropical forests and rivers was killed. Lopez was part of the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods and had actively defended the Guapinol river against projects such as the mining company Inversiones Los Pinares.

The UNHCHR said in a statement that it ‘condemns’ the murder of López, who was ‘criminalised’ in 2018 for his work defending the Guapinol river and continued to be threatened for defending the Botaderos ‘Carlos Escaleras Mejía’ national park.

Juan repeatedly denounced having received threats and harassment for his tireless defence of the Montaña de Botaderos Carlos Escaleras National Park.