Desa’s Agua Zarca Hydroelectric Dam and The Murder of Berta Caceres Case Study
Confirmation of Sentences
In November 2024, over seven years after the assassination of Indigenous environmental activist Berta Cáceres, the Supreme Court of Justice of Honduras confirmed the sentence of the seven convicted for the murder.
Berta Cáceres and COPINH
Berta Cáceres led the organization, the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), and had been opposing the Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam, citing violations of Indigenous rights.
Findings of the Court
The court found the killing was ordered by executives at dam developer Desarrollos Energéticos S.A. (DESA), motivated by project delays and financial losses resulting from the activism led by Cáceres. David Castillo, the former President of DESA, was found guilty as a co-perpetrator of the crime, along with Sergio Rodriguez, DESA’s environment manager and Douglas Bustillo, DESA’s head of security, along with others.
International Reaction
The case drew international scrutiny, prompting project financiers FinnFund and FMO to withdraw support and adopt new policies aimed at protecting human rights defenders.
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