[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 39 (Monday, March 2, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                             BERTA CACERES

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. President, today marks 10 years since the murder of 
Honduran environmental leader Berta Caceres. She lost her life after 
rallying her indigenous Lenca community to halt construction of the 
Agua Zarca Dam project.
  Berta's killers were hired by the corrupt DESA hydroelectric company, 
financed by national and international banks. Some have been convicted. 
All are appealing. Others remain at large, while Berta's organization, 
the Council of indigenous and Popular Organizations of Honduras, 
continues to receive threats.
  Throughout her life, Berta Caceres not only fought for the rights of 
Hondurans; she also built networks of solidarity across the hemisphere, 
organizing opposition against destructive policies, including the 
militarization of law enforcement and resource-extractive projects that 
harm indigenous communities and the environment.
  Impunity for killings of Honduran social activists is endemic, but 
Berta's case shows that accountability is possible. The new Honduran 
Government can demonstrate that it is committed to truth, justice, and 
the rule of law by ensuring that all those involved in her 
assassination are severely punished, as well as those responsible for 
the hundreds of killings of other human rights and environmental 
activists in that country. It should study the findings in the recent 
Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts' report on Berta 
Caceres' murder and publicly commit to vigorously implement its 
recommendations.

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