Afro-Descendant & Indigenous: News & Updates

This article by El Pais examines the incarceration of Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, representatives of 48 Cantons of Totonicapán, which is one of the strongest organizations of the Indigenous movement in Guatemala. They are political prisoners, detained on false charges of terrorism. 

this article coherently summarizes the devestating reality of central american countries overlooked inspite of international warfare in the middle east and aisa demanding attention

To expand its gold mining operations in Copán Department, MINOSA (a Honduran subsidiary of US-based Aura Minerals) began deforestation of the Cerro Los Hornillos mountain, a site of sacred and historical significance to the local Maya Chortí Indigenous community, in July 2025. Community members questioned the authority under which the company was operating and denounced MINOSA for failing to consult affected peoples prior to initiating work in the area. They expressed concern that the destruction of Cerro Los Hornillos could affect the geological integrity of the mountain area and vital waterways.   So to protect the well-being of the environmental and the health of the community, in September 2025  residents installed a peaceful encampment at the foot of the mountain to block any expansion of gold mining into the Cerro Los Hornillos.

The corporation has the office of the public prosecutor and other state law enforcement on its side. On February 12, to help MINOSA expand its mining operations (even though it did not have express permission from neither the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment nor the Honduras Institute for Geology and Mining), the Honduran military arrived at Cerro Los Hornillos to assist MINOSA in its deforestation by holding back the encampment of environmental defenders.  On February 24, six encampment defenders had to appear at a court arraignment on charges of usurpation (illegal trespass/occupation). On May 5, they would appear in court again as a judge determines whether the public prosecutor has enough evidence to move the case forward.

Despite the severe social and environmental risks that this project poses, MINOSA is moving towards exploitation without any sign of institutional oversight.

Recent elections in Honduras have returned right-wing leadership to power, with immediate implications for the autonomy of Indigenous communities.

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