By Zoila Palma: On July 9, 2026, the National Garifuna Council (NGC) of Belize issued a statement expresses concern over reports and videos circulating on social media showing a heavy military presence in the Garifuna community of San Juan, Honduras.
According to reports, armed security forces reportedly entered the community amid an ongoing land dispute.
“We are deeply concerned for the safety, security, and human rights of the Garifuna people of San Juan and call for an immediate end to all acts of intimidation and militarization. The people of San Juan have suffered this tragedy before. In 1937, Garifuna in that same community were massacred during violent repression, forcing many survivors to flee Honduras and seek refuge in Belize. That painful chapter remains etched in the collective memory of our Garifuna nation and we cannot remain silent when history appears to be repeating itself,” the NGC said.
The National Garifuna Council said that it stands in “full solidarity with the Garifuna people of Honduras and with the Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras (OFRANEH) in their lawful struggle to defend Garifuna ancestral lands and fundamental human rights. We are equally concerned by reports of the detention of Garifuna community members and call for the full protection of their legal rights and immediate due process.”
The NGC further called on the Honduran Government to withdraw military forces from San Juan, prevent any further escalation, and honor its obligations under the judgments of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights protecting Garifuna ancestral territories.
The NGC also urged CARICOM, the Government of Belize, regional leaders, and the international human rights community to closely monitor developments and take all appropriate measures to prevent violence and safeguard the lives, lands, and dignity of the Garifuna people.
The post National Garifuna Council condemns military intimidation of Garifuna community in Honduras appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: On July 9, 2026, the National Garifuna Council (NGC) of Belize issued a statement expresses concern over reports and videos circulating on social media showing a heavy military presence in the Garifuna community of San Juan, Honduras. According to reports, armed security forces reportedly entered the community amid an ongoing land dispute.
The post National Garifuna Council condemns military intimidation of Garifuna community in Honduras appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
