Indigenous Lenca Leader Félix Vásquez Assassinated in Honduras
Vasquez was Secretary General of the Union of Rural Workers (UTC) in the department of La Paz and a pre-candidate for Congress.
December 27, 2020- Lenca Indigenous leader Félix Vásquez was assassinated on Saturday night at his home in the village of Ocotal, in Santiago de Puringla, in the southern department of La Paz, Honduras.
A raid on his residence took place at around 8:30 pm when family members were at home, most of whom were young people and children who reportedly depended on Vasquez since the passing of his wife last year. Four men in balaclavas entered the home armed with a 9mm pistol and machetes, shooting Vasquez and terrorizing the family.
A few months earlier, Vasquez had reported to authorities that he and his family had received death threats.
Vasquez was the Secretary General of the Union of Rural Workers (UTC) in the department of La Paz and was a pre-candidate for Congress for the left-leaning Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE) party, the party of former President Manuel Zelaya. He had decided to enter electoral politics as a way to defend Hondurans’ rights, particularly against the encroachment of big landowners in natural reserve areas.
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1/2 Asesinan al compañero Félix Vásquez, líder indígena, luchador social, defensor de los bosques y los ríos, actualmente iba como pre candidato a diputado por el departamento de la Paz, con nuestro movimiento político @Somosmashn+ del @PartidoLibre pic.twitter.com/w6FdMHipCb
— Fabricio Sandoval (@FabricioHN1) December 27, 2020
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Condenamos asesinato de Félix Vásquez, dirigente, y líder indígena, defensor de los rios y los bosques, luchador de @PartidoLibre y pre candidato a diputado por @Somosmashn, Dept de la PAZ. @PartidoLibre
— Manuel Zelaya R. (@manuelzr) December 27, 2020
On December 16, Félix Vásquez had supported a demonstration demanding the release of the Indigenous leader of Simpinula, Víctor Vásquez, who was jailed for accompanying other indigenous leaders in defense of their territory.
He had just participated in what would be his final meeting on Saturday afternoon, with the Fondo Cafetero. Félix Vasquez is remembered as a man who was committed to social struggles, specifically for the defense of the common gifts of nature, the forests and rivers, the land and territory.
The targeted killing is being condemned across Honduras. “We condemn the murder of Félix Vasquez, Indigenous leader, defender of rivers and forests, fighter of LIBRE and pre-candidate for Somos Más for the department of La Paz,” tweeted former President Zelaya.
Featured image: Recent photo of Indigenous Lenca leader, campesino union leader, environmental defender and pre-candidate Félix Vásquez.
