Dear friend,

Nine years ago, Berta Cáceres was assassinated in her home. She was taken from her family, her community, and the world for defending life—for standing against the destruction of the Gualcarque River, the lifeblood of the Lenca people and local campesinos in Honduras. Tomorrow, she would have turned 53. Her murder was not just a loss; it was a calculated act of violence meant to silence a woman who dared to challenge the imperialist, capitalist structures that prioritize profit over people and the natural environment.

Berta’s life was a testament to the power of resistance. She fought not only for the rivers and lands of the Lenca people but also for a world where Indigenous communities, women, and the earth itself are treated with dignity. Her assassination was a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who defend life against the forces of greed and destruction. Yet, her legacy lives on in the struggles of communities worldwide resisting extractivism, displacement, and environmental devastation.

The recent ruling by Honduras’ Supreme Court, which upheld sentences for some of those involved in her murder, is a step forward. Among the seven men found guilty are two graduates of the School of the Americas (SOA) and one West Point graduate. However, as Berta’s family and COPINH have made clear, justice remains incomplete. The intellectual authors of her murder—those who planned, financed, and ordered this crime—remain shielded by impunity.

The establishment of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) offers hope. Their mission to investigate the masterminds, uncover corruption, and propose reparations for affected Lenca communities is a critical step toward accountability. But their success depends on international solidarity and pressure.

The struggle for justice is urgent. The murder of environmental defender Juan López on September 14, 2024, is a chilling reminder that the same forces that killed Berta are still at work. Like Berta, Juan was threatened and had precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, yet he was still murdered. This is not just about Berta. It is about the countless others who continue to face violence for defending their lands and livelihoods. It is about dismantling the systems that enable such violence. It is about standing for life, dignity, and peace in the face of imperialist exploitation.

The 50-year concession of the sacred Gualcarque River—the very river Berta was murdered for defending—has not been canceled. This means that keeping her memory and struggle alive is critical. Those who seek to privatize the river and profit from its destruction depend on the movement fading away. But memory, international solidarity, and ongoing calls for justice will outlive this concession.

Berta’s family and COPINH have issued a powerful call to action: “Berta lives on, the struggle continues!” Let us honor her memory by joining that struggle. Let us all demand:

• Full cooperation from the Honduran state to ensure the GIEI’s investigations are unimpeded.

• #JusticeforBerta, including the prosecution of all those responsible.

• The cancellation of the Gualcarque River concession and reparations for the Lenca people.

Berta’s words echo louder than ever: “They are afraid of us because we are not afraid of them.” Let us carry her courage forward. Let us act now—not just for Berta, but for all who defend life against the forces of destruction. #JusticiaParaBerta

In struggle and solidarity,
SOA Watch 2025