Luis Hernán Baca Valladares worked all his life to protect the Triquilapa and Cantagallo Mountains, on the eastern edge of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Thirty seven years ago, he co-founded the ecological committee of the Aldea de Suyapa (COEAS), a volunteer organization committed to protecting their communal forest and ancestral water source.

On January 10, 2024, his star was added to the constellation of murdered protectors of Indigenous territories and natural resources in Latin America, as he succumbed to injuries sustained during a targeted attack in December 2023, and passed away peacefully among family members.

“Mero”, as he was best known, was a beloved member of the community, loving husband and father, and a dear friend to Trees, Water & People. We are devastated, but not deterred from continuing his struggle. We are supporting COEAS’ pursuit of a congressional vote to declare his community's forest a National Wildlife Reserve, prohibiting future urbanization that threatens their ancestral water source.

His legacy will live on in every individual that supports the protection of their communal forest.

If you would like to support Mero’s Family please click here.