Killing of Berta Cáceres — the full case file

Berta Isabel Cáceres Flores born in La Esperanza, Honduras. Honduran Lenca environmental and indigenous rights leader Berta Cáceres was shot dead by armed intruders in her home on 2 March 2016 after years of threats over her campaign against the Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam; multiple men, including the dam-building company's former president, were later convicted in connection with her killing. In 1993, Cáceres co-founds the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). In 2006, Cáceres investigates and begins organizing Lenca opposition to planned Agua Zarca dam project on the Río Gualcarque. On July 15, 2013, Honduran military opens fire on protesters at the dam site, killing COPINH member Tomás García and injuring others. In 2013, Sinohydro and the International Finance Corporation withdraw from the Agua Zarca project following COPINH protests. In 2015, Cáceres awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize. On February 20, 2016, More than 100 protesters detained by security; threats against COPINH increase. On March 2, 2016, Cáceres shot dead by armed intruders in her home in La Esperanza; Gustavo Castro Soto wounded. On March 3, 2016, Government performs autopsy without independent oversight; COPINH member Aureliano Molina Villanueva detained as a suspect. On March 5, 2016, Molina released for lack of evidence; Cáceres' children hold press conference demanding international investigation. On May 2, 2016, Government arrests four men, including a DESA manager, a former security contractor, and two military officers. In February 2017, the Guardian reports three of eight arrested suspects linked to US-trained elite Honduran military units. In November 2017, GAIPE international legal panel releases report finding willful negligence by financial institutions and implicating DESA and state security agents. In March 2018, David Castillo, former executive president of DESA, arrested as alleged mastermind of the murder. In November 2018, seven of eight men tried are convicted of murder. In December 2019, four assassins sentenced to 34 years for murder plus 16 years for attempted murder of Castro Soto; three others sentenced to 30 years. On July 6, 2021, Honduras' Supreme Court unanimously finds David Castillo guilty of plotting the assassination. On June 20, 2022, David Castillo sentenced to 22 years and 6 months in prison. The case is recorded as solved. This case file is kept in memory of Gustavo Castro Soto and Berta Cáceres. The full sourced case file, with every fact cited, is at casepin dot org.

Transcript from the video’s narration track. For every source, open the case file.