<P> Among its early acts in 1994, COPINH organized a march to the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa demanding increased recognition of indigenous self - government through indigenous municipalities, a government moratorium on logging, and the investigation of violence against indigenous peoples, among other demands . The Honduran government signed a 48 - point agreement in response to the protests . In October 1997, some 150 Lenca protesters led by COPINH destroyed a prominent statue of Christopher Columbus in Tegucigalpa . Leaders Salvador Zuniga and Candido Martinez accepted responsibility for destruction of the statue, but defended the action as protesting a history of exploitation of indigenous peoples . Zuniga declared, "It would seem that in this country clay leaders matter more than the real problems faced by indigenous people . If there is justice, we will be released, but we are not sorry for the act of dignity carried out on October 12 ." </P> <P> Berta Cáceres was leading an effort to prevent construction of the DESA - backed Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam and project . After she was found shot to death at home on March 3, 2016, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights recommended precautionary measures for COPINH members . In mid-March, authorities moved to evict a COPINH - led land occupation in Río Chiquito, located in Rio Lindo, Cortés department . While returning to his home, community leader Nelson Garcia (also a Lenca) was fatally shot four times in the face and killed . A few weeks later, major international investors, the Netherlands Development Finance Co . (FMO) and FinnFund, announced they would suspend funding for the Agua Zarca project . </P> <P> The danger continues for activists . In July 2016 Lesiba Yaneth, also a member of COPINH, was found killed . She had opposed the Aurora hydroelectric project, planned in the municipality of San Jose, in La Paz Province, Honduras . This project was very important to the government; "the vice-president of the National Congress, Gladys Aurora Lopez," was reported as having "direct ties" to it . On July 8, Secretary of Security Julian Pacheco said that the government had failed to provide adequate protection for Cáceres, who had received death threats . The police and military are expected to protect human rights defenders . Three suspects were arrested within a week in the Yaneth murder . </P>

Council of popular and indigenous organizations of honduras