He fought to save jungles in Honduras. Now his killing haunts environmental defenders

(20 Dec 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tocoa, Honduras - 7 December 2024
1. Various of environmentalist Dalila Santiago planting yuca on the grave of fellow activist Juan López
2. Various of Santiago cleaning the grave of López

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tocoa, Honduras - 5 December 2024
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dalila Santiago, environmentalist: ++STARTS ON SHOT 1++
"He was a humble man, a person with charisma, dedication, he was that person who gave himself completely to the struggle. They wanted to silence us, they wanted to silence our voice with Juan's murder, but the very opposite has happened. He is present every day, Juan is present at every moment. In everything that surrounds us, there is always something that reminds us of Juan, the life of Juan, who Juan was."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guapinol, Honduras - 06 December 2024
4. Various of aerials of the Guapinol river

ANNOTATION: Juan López led a fight against a mining project which his group said threatens Honduran rivers. He was gunned down by masked men in September.

ANNOTATION: Despite a government suspension order, the mine continues operating. It's supported by Tocoa's mayor who's been linked to organized crime in testimony by a Honduran drug trafficking ring leader.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guapinol, Honduras - 7 December 2024
6. Los Pinares Ecotek mining project seen from town of Guapinol
7. Various aerials of Los Pinares Ecotek mining project

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tocoa, Honduras - 5 December 2024
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dalila Santiago, environmentalist: ++OVERLIAD BY SHOTS 6 AND 7++
"To constantly speak against these extractive projects is to be against organized crime."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tocoa, Honduras - 06 December 2024
9. Pull focus of photo of Juan López in his home
10. Various of Thelma Peña, López's wife, looking at photos of her and López on phone
11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Thelma Peña, López's wife: ++STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT++
"They had sent him a message threatening him, telling him that they were going to get him, to torture him. I always told him, when they get you, it will only be you. You are the fundamental piece, because they know that by shutting you up, the movement collapses."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tocoa, Honduras - 7 December 2024
12. Peña taking picture with her two daughters during birthday party of her youngest daughter Julia
13. Julia holding a picture of López
14. Julia taking picture with state-assigned bodyguards
15. Various of Peña and her family celebrating Julia's birthday

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tocoa, Honduras - 6 December 2024
16. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Thelma Peńa, López's wife: ++OVERLIAD BY SHOT 15++
"Remembering that moment and seeing him in the coffin is something that breaks you. But you get over it. It's not easy, but you always have to keep going."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guapinol, Honduras - 6 December 2024
17. Various of aerials of the Guapinol river

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tocoa, Honduras - 5 December 2024
18. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dalila Santiago, environmentalist: ++OVERLAID BY SHOT 17++
"We have a clear objective, to fight for the defense of our territory and we will not rest until our rivers run free like the wind. To demand justice for Juan is to demand immediate protection for the defenders who are at the forefront of the struggle. We are afraid to continue fighting, but we will not be extinguished, we will not be silenced."
STORYLINE:
A Honduran activist led a fight against a mining project, which his group says threatens rivers —he was gunned down by masked men in September.







































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