Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the world, 64% of the population live on less than $2 a day, this figure is worse in the rural areas. It is estimated that unemployment runs at around 36%. Roads to villages are almost non-existent, homes are usually one room. It is common for the family to have no toilet but to simply go outside when the need arises. Clean water is a luxury that many never see.
As usual big business moves in and exploits the varied mineral resources, including zinc, lead, silver and gold, but none of this ever reaches the majority of the population.
Another large development that is taking land away from the indigenous people and giving them little or nothing in return is the construction of a large hydroelectric dam in the territory of the indigenous Lenca. This project has met with strong opposition from the local and surrounding communities and recently the paid a high price for their resistance.
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Tomas Garcia was a father of seven who would have turned 50 this December. He was a husband, father, brother, and community leader, serving as an auxiliar and on his community’s Indigenous Council. On Monday, July 15, his life was brutally taken away by the Honduran military when a soldier shot and killed him at close range in broad daylight in front of 200-300 people. He did not have a gun, he did not hurt anyone. His crime? Opposing the construction of a hydroelectric dam being illegally constructed in his Indigenous Lenca community's territory against their will. Why Tomas? He was one of the first to arrive, leading the delegation that had come to deliver a message to the companies constructing the dam at their installations in Rio Blanco. A soldier fired at him not once, not twice, at least three times from only 6 or so feet away, according to eyewitnesses.
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