Blanca Saraí Izaguirre Lozano
National Commissioner for Human Rights (CONADEH)
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
August 22, 2025
Dear Commissioner Izaguirre Lozano:
We are writing to express our concern about the inaction of the Honduran government in pursuing justice against Romeo Vásquez Velásquez, who faces charges for his responsibility in the armed repression of protesters following the coup d’état in June 2009. The former military officer and former Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces has remained a fugitive since March 19, after failing to appear at his court hearing.
After an armed military attack against demonstrators near Tegucigalpa’s Toncontin airport on July 5, 2009, Romeo Vásquez Velásquez was one of three military officers wanted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Vásquez Velásquez was accused and arrested on January 5, 2025 for his involvement in the killing of Isy Obed Murillo and seriously injuring Alex Zavala during these protests. Obed Murillo was only 18 years old when, during his participation in the peaceful demonstration near the Toncontín airport, he was shot in the head by army snipers. Alex Zavala suffered extensive injuries after being wounded by the bullets of Honduran soldiers at the same incident.
Two other former military officers were also arrested on January 5: Venancio Cervantes (former Deputy Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) and Carlos Puerto (former commander of the Joint Operations Command). Those two voluntarily presented themselves and are currently being held in the National Penitentiary in Támara, Francisco Morazán. Romeo Vásquez Velásquez, however, continues to evade justice and accountability while he remains active on social media and even issues messages to government officials.
The case of Romeo Vásquez Velásquez is symbolic of the general government sanctioned and militarized repression of free speech in Honduras. When free speech and expression is violently stifled, corruption and human rights abuses are able to fester and escalate. Justice needs to be sought not only for the death and injuries of Isy Obed Murillo and Alex Zavala but to set the crucial precedent of government protection of peaceful assembly. The arrest of Romeo Vásquez Velásquez is a crucial step towards achieving justice and combatting persecution of human rights advocates in Honduras.
In light of the horrific killing of Isy Obed Murillo and serious injury of Alex Zavala at the hands of Romeo Vásquez Velásquez and other military officials, we urge the following of the Honduran government:
(1) a comprehensive search for fugitive Romeo Vásquez Velásquez
(2) comprehensive justice for all victims of the 2009 coup d’état, including a complete investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the human rights violations committed during and after the coup
(3) termination of excessive violence by security forces used to suppress free speech and assembly
Sincerely,
Brian J Stefan-Szittai and Christine Stonebraker Martínez
Co-coordinators
copies:
Javier Efraín Bú Soto, Ambassador of Honduras in Washington, DC ~ via email and US mail
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR): Andrea Pochak (Rapporteur for Honduras)
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OACNUDH): Isabel Albaladejo Escribano (Representative to Honduras), Alice Shackelford (UN Resident Coordinator in Honduras) ~ via email
US State Department: Honduras Desk Officer (Washington, DC) ~ via email
US Embassy in Tegucigalpa: Roy Perrin (Chargé d’Affaires ad interim) and Human Rights Officer ~ via email
US Congress: Senators from Ohio (Husted and Moreno) ~ via email
US Representatives from Ohio (Beatty, Brown, Jordan, Joyce, Kaptur, Latta, Miller, Rulli, Sykes) ~ via email
08 JUL 2025_COFADEH_Honduras
